TRfcAaUfu  KOOM 


COL.  GEORGE  WASHINGTON  FLOWERS 
MEMORIAL  COLLECTION 


DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
DURHAM.  N.  C. 


PRESENTED  BY 
W   W    FLOWERS 


NELLIE  NORTON:  :•* 


OR 


SOUTHERN  SLAVERY  AND  THE  BIBLE. " 


«  •  >  »  »— 


A  SCRIPTURAI.  REFUTATION 


OF    THE 


PRINCIPAL  ARGUMENTS  UPON  WHICH  THE 
ABOLITIONISTS  RELY. 


A  VINDICATIOxN  OF  SOUTHERN  SLAVERY  FROM  THK 
OLD  AND  NEW  TESTAMENTS.  . 


BY 


R«v.  E.  W.  WARREN 


MACON,  GA.: 

BCrKE,    BOYKIN   &   COMPANY, 

1864. 


\^REFACE.         ^^^ 


Makt  books  have  bwn  written  in  fator  of  slavery;  but  kxf  of  them  har 
joen  penerally  read.  This  little  volume  claims  no  superiority  over  any  of  then 
It  was  thought  that  a  reply  to  abolition  objections,  based  upon  the  Divin 
argument,  might  satisfy  many  minds  who  had  not  the  lime  to  devote  to  ; 
hotough  investigation  of  the  subject,  and,  perhaps,  set  tlie  question,  as  to  it 
noral  aspect,  forever  at  rest. 

It  is  presented  in  popular  form,  because  that  was  thouglH  to  be  the  surest  wa; 
\o  place  the  argument  before  the  public  mind.  The  author  is  deeply  impresso' 
with  the  fact  tiiat  slavery  is  of  God,  and,  desiring  others  to  embrace  the  sam 
truth,  has  here  presented  the  scriptural  arguments  by  means  of  which  his  bw. 
conclusions  have  been  formed. 

Tb«  author  asks  the  indulgence  of  the  critic  into  whose  hands  this  littl 
Tolumo  may  fall.  In  the  daily  press  of  pastoral  engagements,  which  were  c 
paramount  importance,  he  has  given  his  weary  evenings,  when  not  olherwis 
occupied,  to  tiie  composition  of  this  book;  and,  therefore,  he  feels  that  it  ha 
many  imperfections. 

^  An  humble  volume,  whose  aiiu  is  the  vindication  of  the  Divine  economy,  am 
the  establishment  of  Bible  truth  in  the  popular  mind,  and  with  the  earnes 
prayer  that  the  Author  of  all  good,  may  bestow  upon  it  His  blessing  to  th 
aocomplishment  of  those  ends,  the  work  is  sent  forth  with  feelings  of  difSdence  b; 

THE  AUTHOR. 
Maook,  Ga.,  Mat  4,  I8f.4. 


COPiltiaHT  SStiCRBti. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Anxiety  to  »ee  a  Slave — The    Welcome — KimUy   Greetings — Family 
Prayer — The  Higher  Law — Discussion. 

"Mother  do  show  me  a  slave  aa  soon  as  the  steamer  gets  near 
enough." 

This  request  was  made  by  a  beautiful  young  lady,  as  she  stood  on 
the  deck  of  a  large  steamer  that  was  nearing  the  port  of  Savannah. 
It  was  her  first  trip  South.  The  fulfillment  of  a  promise  of  long 
standing,  made  to  a  dear  uncle,  that  when  her  education  was  com- 
pleted she  would  pay  him  a  visit.  He  had  left  New  England  when 
quite  young,  and  having  married  a  Southern  lady,  seldom  returned 
except  on  business,  or  to  gpeud  a  few  weeks  with  his  aged  parents. 

In  contemplating  this  visit  there  was  but  one  thing  that  luarred 
the  anticipated  pleasure  of  the  mother  and  daughter,  that  was  the 
idea  of  seeing  the  poor  slave  in  chains,  of  listening  to  his  groans  of 
anguish,  while  they  were  powerless  to  free  him  from  his  bondage. 

They  had  been  led  to  regard  as  real,  all  the  tales  of  woe,  all  the 
horrible  tragedies,  of  which  they  had  so  often  read  in  speeches, 
sermons,  books  or  newspapers.  They  were  sincere  in  believing 
slavery  to  be  the  "  sum  of  all  villanies ;"  and  they  had  mutually 
agreed  to  give  their  influence  t©  the  cause  of  "  human  liberty  and  ' 
equal  rights,"  in  other  words,  to  abolitionism. 

Fully  expecting  to  see  the  negroes  chained  together  and  bearing 
heavy  iron  weights,  the  curiosity  of  Miss  Nellie  Norton  was  fully 
awake  to  catch  the  first  glimpse  of  a  slave. 

The  steamer  having  reached  the  wharf,  the  passengers  came 
thronging  to  the  shore,  some  after  long  absence  eager  to  receive  the 
aficctionate  greeting  of  their  friends,  some  in  search  of  pleasure, 
while  others,  with  pallid  cheeks  and  wasted  forms,  have  come  to 
seek  new  life  and  strength  from  the  balmy  breezes  of  a  more 
Southern  clime. 

"  And  sure  enough  you've  come,  sister ;  welcome  to  our  Southern 
soil  and  home.  I  am  so  happy  to  see  you."  Mrs.  Norton  threw 
her  arms  around  the  neck  of  her  brother,  and  for  a  moment  both 
shed  tears  of  joy  at  meeting  again  after  so  long  an  absence.  *'  And 
Nellie,  dear  Nellie,  is  this  jou  !     Surely  this  is  not  my  little  Nelljei 


232221 


4  NKLI.Ii:   NORTON. 

whom  I  lant  law  ei^ht  jears  aj.'o  in  New  Knglanti  I  Why  how  yoa 
haye  grown  I  No,  this  iu  my  niece,  Miss  Norton.  Come  let  lue 
Beat  yoQ  in  n)y  carriap«,  then  I  will  ace  to  year  baggage." 

As  Mr.  Thompson  led  the  way  to  tha  carriape,  Nellie,  still  on  the 
qvi  vivf  to  see  a  slave,  could  not  Iong«r  restrain  her  curiosity. 
'*  Uncle,  do  thow  me  a  nlave  if  there  is  one  here." 
"Jack,  come  here,"  cried  Mr.  T.  The  carriage  driTcr  promptly 
obeyed  his  master's  call,  advaocinp  with  hat  in  hand.  Jaok  was  a 
fine  looking  mulatt«,  neatly  dressed  in  a  suit  of  broad  cloth,  bis  hat 
being  tidily  bound  with  crape.  "  Here  is  a  slave,  Nellie,"  said 
Mr.  T. 

"  Oh  no,. uncle,  yom  jest,  do  you  not  ?  That  cannut  be  a  slave. 
I  thought  you  Southerners  kept  your  slaTou  chained  lest  they  should 
run  away  from  you." 

"  Pshaw,  Nellie,  you  hare  certainly  been  to  Brooklyn  and  heard 
that  villainouu  hypocrite  Heory  Ward  Beecher.  Hut  here  we  arc 
at  the  carriage.  Jack  remain  here  until  I  go  and  have  the  baggage 
put  in  the  wagon." 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  Jack  with  a  quick  and  emphatic  voice. 
The  ladies  being  seated,  concluded  that  while  they  were  waiting 
they  would  begin  to  acijuaint  theuHelve.s  with  slavery  by  obtaining 
information  from  one  of  the  sufferers.  Nellie,  who  felt  her  superi- 
ority as  an  educated  young  litdy,  over  the  ignorant  people  of  the 
South,  as  she  imagined  them  to  be,  began  the  conversation  with 
Jack,  the  negro  carriage  driver. 

Hesitating  for  a  moment  a.s  to  whether  blie  t<h*uld  address  him  sl^ 
Mr.  or  Sir,   as  a  free  man  or  as  a  Hcrrant,  she  finally  began  without 
either.     "  Are  you  in  my'Uncle's  service  '!" 
"  Yes'm,  I  b'longs  to  maa'  George." 
"  How  do  you  like  him  V 

"  1  likes  him  fust  rate ;  "  he's  mighty  good  to  ui,  feeds  us  well, 
giyes  UH  plenty  of  dene  and  is  gond  all  de  time." 

"  Ii«t  would  you  not  rather  be  free,  aw  wo  are,  so  that  you  could 
go  where  you  please,  and  when  you  please?" 

*•  Don't  know,  Missus,  color'd  folks  han't  got  white  folk's  ways,  no 
how  ;  wc  wouldn't  know  how  to  'have  ourselves;  we  too  ignunt." 

''  Suppose  I  were  to  buy  you  and  carry  you  homo  with  me,  and  set 
you  free,  so  that  you  could  work  for  yourself  and  hare  everything 
you  made,  would  you  like  that?" 

"  Kf  you'd  carry  maa'  George  and  miss  Penny  and  the  child'ens 
wid  yeu,  aid  let  me  stay  with  dem  ;    not  'thout." 


NELLIE   NORTON.  5 

"  Why  would  you  rather  live  with  Uncle  and  be  a  slave  than  to 
go  with  me  and  be  free  ?" 

"  I  couldn't  quit  mas'  George,  bo  how ;  he's  mighty  good  man, 
and  den  Miss  Penny  she's  monstrous  kind,  and  when  we  get  sick  she 
'tends  to  us  and  nusses  us  so  good,  and  gives  us  such  nice  fixiu's  to 
eat,  and  has  us  'tended  to  mighty  kind." 

'•What  a  stupid  dolt,"  said  Nellie,  softly  to  h«r  mother.  "Poor 
iellow  he  lo/es  his  chains." 

Mr.  Thompson  having  arranged  the  baggage,  came  and  took  his 
seat  in  the  carriage  with  his  sister  and  niece.  Jack  was  ordered  to 
drive  forward,  and  While  they  were  goiag  to  Mr.  T's  residence  thej 
conversed  on  family  matters.  Southern  scenery,  society,  &c. 

After  a  ride  of  several  hours,  they  approached  the  elegant  home 
of  their  relativa.  The  house  stood  on  a  slight  elevation,  surrounded 
by  exquisite  shrubbery,  tastefully  arranged  and  trimmed,  while  at 
the  distance  of  a  few  hundred  yards  could  be  seen  two  rows  of 
neatly  painted  negro  cabins. 

Mrs.  Thompson,  meeting  them  at  the  gate  with  the  true  grace  and 
cordial  affection  of  a  cultivated  Southern  lady,  extended  to  them  a 
most  hearty  welcome.  The  children,  too,  of  whom  there  were  five, 
were  all  eager  to  see  cousin  Nellie  and  aunt  Julia,  of  whose  coming 
they  had  heard  so  much.  They  were  each  embraced  in  turn,  and 
seemed  delighted  to  see  their  Northern  relatives. 

They  entered  the  richly  furnished  dwelling  just  as  the  sub  sank 
to  his  evening  repose,  charming  the  visitors  with  his  gorgeous  color- 
ing of  the  W^estern  sky.  After  arranging  their  toilet,  the  ladies 
were  invited  in  to  tea.  Having  spent  some  time  in  social  conversa- 
tion around  the  table,  all  were  assembled  for  family  prayer.  At  the 
sound  of  a  bell  the  house  servants  came  in  and  seated  themselves 
near  the  door.  One  of  them  handed  Mr.  Thompson  a  Testament 
from  which  he  read  a  chapter,  occasionally  stopping  to  make  expla- 
nations. When  the  chapter  was  finished,  they  all  knelt  and  he 
prayed,  while  an  occasional  response  in  the  way  of  an  audible 
groan  pro««edcd  from  some  of  his  colored  auditors.  This  was  an 
unusual  scene  to  the  new  comers,  who  were  totally  ignorant  of 
Southern  life  and  negro  character,  no  remarks,  however,  were 
made,  fer  they  feared  to  speak,  lest  they  might  wound  the  feelinj^ 
of  their  deluded  relatives,  who  ignorantly  imagined  it  was  right  to 
held  human  beings  in  slavery. 

"  Well,  Nellie,  you  have  now  seen  several  of  my  slaves,  what  do 


32221 


\ 


0  XKLLIE   NORTON. 

joa  thiik  of  tbcm  and   slavcrj  ?"  said  Mr.  Thompson,  after  they 

were  all  scat^  in  the  parlor. 

"  l)o  you  a«k  uic  for  tlic  /ru/A,  unci*  ?" 

"  Certainly  I  do,  my  dear,  I  would  not  have  you  speak  an  untruth." 

*'  I  think  well  of  your  tlapm,  as  you  arc  pleased  to  term  them,  but 

1  abominate  the  lawi  and  public  ^eutinicnt  wbieh  doom   them   to  a 
life  of  servitude." 

'•  Then,  my  dear  niece,  you  alniuiinate  the  law  of  God,  and  the  sen- 
timents inculcated  by  his  holy  prophets  and  Bposll<>.>i.  J  do  nut  feel 
reproached  by  your  remark,  but  I  would  kindly  hu-jgest  the  propriety 
of  an  invcatij^ation  from  the  liible,  vi'  the  origin  and  perpetuity  of 
slavery,  at  aomo  convenient  time  while  you  are  hefe." 

*'  Cnclc,  hlavery  shocks  humanili/,  how  could  it  then  be  taught  by 
the  IHvine  Ik-ing  't  I  cannot  believe  it,  and  if  I  did,  I  do  not  think 
1  oould  confide  in  the  justice  and  goodness  of  kuch  a  Being." 

"  Why.  Nellie,  yuu  .«hock  me,  if  God  is  not  such  a  one  iia  you 
would  have  lliui  tt»  be,  you  will  not  worship  Him.  If  he  does  not 
come  up  to  your  standard  of  what  he  ought  to  be  ;  if  He  dares  to 
tcacn  what  docs  not  accord  with  yuur  views,  then  you  reject  Him. 
Consider,  my  dear  niece,  of  what  presumption  you  are  guilty." 

"  But,  uncle,  there  is  a  law  of  tha  human  mind  higher  than  all 
other  laws,  having'  its  own  intuitive  perceptions  of  what  is  right  and 
wrong :  this  law  of  the  mind  is  almve  all  othtr  latrs,  and  is  at  liberty 
to  accept  or  reject  any  proposition,  as  it  may  accord  with  or  difl'er 
from  this  intuitive  moral  consciousness.  Slavery  comes  in  direct 
antagonism  with  this  law  of  my  mind,  and  hence  I  rejeet  either  the 
interpretation  or  the  authority  of  any  and  every  standard  which 
favors  plavery." 

"  These  '  laws  of  tho  human  mind,'  these  '  intuitive  perceptions,' 
this  *  moral  consciousness,'  were  given  you  by  your  gracious  Ocator. 
Then  they  are  creatures  of  His.  Now  .'•hall  the  Creator  become 
subordinate  to  the  creature  ?  *  Shall  the  thing  formed,  saj  to  Him 
who  formed  it.  Why  hast  thou  made  me  thus  i"  But  from  what  did 
you  learn  your  ethics,  or  mctaphybics,  or  rather  infidelity,  1 
ought  tp  call  it,  for  it  is  really  worse  than  the  system  either  of  Paine, 
or  Hume?  I  am  more  and  more  astonished  at  you,  I  was  not 
aware  that  abolitionism  had  resorted  to  such  desperate  ends  to  sus- 
tain itself.  I  knew  that  Theodore  Parker  had  rejected  the  Bible 
because  it  was  a  pro-slavery  book,  but  I  did  not  know  that  the  sen- 
timent had  taken  possession  of  the  pulpit,  the  press  and  the  schools, 
so  thoroughly  that  a  girl  just  from  her  alma  mater  should  bo  so  well 


NELLIK   NORTON.  f 

versed  in  the  whole  argument.  But  I  did  know  that  this  would  be 
the  last  and  only  successful  point  from  which  abolitionism  could  be 
defended.  The  North  innst  give  up  the  Bible  and  religion,  or  adopt 
our  views  of  slavery." 

"  Not  so  fust,  uncle,  I  have  not  admitted  that  the  Bible  is  a  pro- 
slaverj  book,  nor  do  I  believe  it.  Upon  the  contrary,  T  have  been 
taught  to  believe  in  its  Divine  origin,  to  reverence  its  holy  truths, 
and  to  obey  its  heavenly  precepts.  I  only  said  what  would  be  the 
case  in  the  event  it  did  teach  slavery." 

"  I  am  glad,  dear  Nellie,  you  have  been  so  piously  taught;  I  only 
regret  that  thfs  religious  education  has  taken  such  slight  hold  upon 
your  reverence ;  for  with  your  firm  belief  in  the  Divine  origin  of 
the  Bible,  you  reverence  the  highor  law  more  than  you  do  its  heav- 
enly instructions.  You  will  believe  the  Bible  is  from  God,  a  holy 
book,  worthy  of  the  heart  obedience  of  all,  unless  it  teaches  slavery, 
in  which  event  it  is  '  sans  Dicu.'  Well,  1  see  you  are  afraid  of  the 
Bible,  the  only  revelation  from  heaven,  the  only  sure  unerring 
source  of  information.  S©  you  must  be  left  to  'the  law  in  your 
members  which  wars  against  the  law  of  your  mind,  and  hrinys  you 
into  captivity  t»  the  law  of  sin.'" 

"  No,  uncle,  1  am  not  afraid  of  the  Bible,  nor  do  I  fear  to 
investigate  the  subject  of  slavery  as  revealed  in  it.  I  am  only  sur- 
prised that  you  should  have  been  so  deluded  as  to  believe  the  insti- 
tution can  find  any  favor  with  a  holy  God.  I  am  willing  at  any 
itime  to  begin  the  investigation  with  you." 

"  Very  well,  then,  the  arrangement  is  understood.  When  you 
have  had  sufficient  time  to  rest,  and  look  at  slavery  a  little  in  its 
practical  workings,  say  one  week  from  the  present  tiiue,  our  investi- 
gation shall  begin." 

The  remainder  of  the  evening  was  spent  most  pleasantly  in  con- 
versation upon  other  matters,  and  at  a  late  hour  all  retired. 

The  succeeding  week  passed  most  agreeably  to  all  the  members  of 
the  household. 

The  flowers  and  shrubbery,  of  which  there  was  a  great  variety 
covered  a  large  and  beautiful  plat  of  ground  in  front  of  the  house. 
Thither  Nellie  resorted  some  portion  of  every  day,  with  her  young 
cousins,  and  delighted  them  no  httlo  with  her  ana'ygis  of  muny  of 
the  flowers.  Several  times  during  the  week  she  strolled  down  to 
the  negro  cabins,  with  one  of  her  little  cousins.  She  desired  to 
look  into  the  treatment  of  her  uncle's  slaves,  and  read,  if  possible, 
in  their  faces,  and  hear  from  their  half  conccalsd  expressions,  which 


S  NKLLXK  NORTON. 

she  supposed  would  almost  involuntarily  escape  from  thsir  lips,  tbo 
eridenec  of  tbair  misery  occasioned  by  the  boadagc.  At  every  risit 
her  i«urpri9C  was  increased,  to  find  thcin  so  entirely  free  from  all 
care,  and  raanifeatiag  ao  contented,  cbecrful  nnd  happy  a  spirit. 

TUB    DISCl'MIO.N. 

Agreeably  to  the  understanding  of  the  week  before,  the  family 
assembled  iu  tlic  parlor  aft<:r  tea,  with  a  view  to  the  anticipated 
diacuKiiion.  The  two  elder  ladica  l>eiag  scatrid  on  tbc  sofa,  Mr.  T. 
invited  his  niece  to  draw  near  the  centre  table,  upon  which  lay  u 
large  liible.  Taking  in  his  hand  a  concordance,  for  mure  convenient 
reference  to  any  text  beari.ig  upon  the  hubject,  be  seated  himself 
opposite  to  her.  Both  of  tiieui  felt  confident  of  beinp  able  to  main- 
tain the  positions  which  they  were  about  to  assume.  Nellie  was  but 
little  reraed  in  the  teaching  of  the  Bible,  but  she  had  selected  from 
her  uncle's  library  **  Wayland's  Moral  Science,"  and  that  was  as 
good  authority  as  she  wanted.  Dr.  Wayland  was  a  wise  and  learned 
man  ;  too  much  bo,  in  her  opinion,  to  make  a  mistake,  and  too  good 
to  misrepresent  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible.  She  was  familiar  with 
his  opinions  on  this  anbject,  for  they  had  been  taught  her  with 
great  care. 

Mr.  Th'jnip!«on  had  come  South  with  the  usual  prejudices  against 
slavery  wkioh  Northern  birth  and  education  instil.  He  had  Bot 
T-oHfentcd  to  become  the  owier  of  slaves  from  mercenary  motircs. 
At  firht  his  conscience  forbade  the  idea  of  holding  a  follow  being  in 
servitude,  and  he  did  not  do  no  until  as  a  conscientious  seeker  aflcr 
truth,  he  had  carefully  invc.-*tign(ed  the  subject  from  the  Scriptures. 
He  was  therefore  familiar  with  the  subject  in  all  it^i  bearings. 

"  '  The  Bible  is  the  sufficient  rule  of  faith  and  practice,'  was  a 
dogma  taught  by  the  great  reformer,  Martin  IjUther,  and  on©  to 
which  .ill  protestaHts  have  gifcn  ihcir  mo.<t  hearty  a.'^scnt,"  said  Mr. 
Thompaen,  an  he  took  the  Bible  into  bis  hands  and  opened  it  without 
reference  to  book  or  chapter.  As  he  did  so  he  kept  his  eyes  on 
Nellie  all  the  time,  i<»  catch,  if  po.ssible,  her  expression  of  assent  to 
thii  truth.  But  she  had  carefully  guarded  herself  against  any 
admission  which  might  be  afterwards  used  to  her  disadvantage  in 
the  argument.  .  She  felt  herself  to  be  the  repreeentative  of  abolition- 
isni,  and  she  wai  determined  it  should  not  suffer  on  account  of  the 
unwarincss  of  its  advocate — the  ground  must  be  maintained,  the 
point  carried  at  all  basards.     So  she  was  silent. 

"  Hear,  0  UcaTens,  gire  ear,  O  Earth,  for  it  is  the   Lord  that 


NELLIE   NORTON.  .  9 

speaketh."  This  quotatiou  was  made  by  Mr.  T.  with  solemn 
emphasis,  then  turning  to  Genesis  ix :  25,  he  read,  "  Cursed  be 
Canaan  ;  a  servant  of  servants  shall  he  be  unto  his  brethren,  and  he 
said  Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  Shem,  and  Canaan  shall  be  his 
servaat.  God  shall  enlarge  .laphet  and  he  shall  dwell  in  the  tents 
of  Shem  :  and  Canaan  shall  be  his  servant."  Here,  Nellie,  is  the 
origin  of  slavery,  it  comes  directly  from  God  through  His  servant 
Noah." 

"  Excuse  me  uncle,  for  the  comparison,  I  intead  no  personal  dis- 
respect to  you,  but  you  really  remind  nie  of  Rip  Yan  Winkle  saarch- 
ing  for  the  flag  of  George  the  Til,  after  the  Independence  of  the 
American  Colonies  was  gained,  and  acknowledged  by  Great  Britain. 
To  go  back  to  the  flood,  to  an  old  man  just  aroused  from  the  stupor 
of  drunkenness,  in  order  to  justify  American,  or  I  should  say, 
Southern  slavery.  Let  the  odium  rest  upon  those  who  foster  the 
wicked  institution.  Really,  uncle,  you  must  be  hard  pressed  for  a 
scriptural  argument." 

"  You  speak  lightly  o"  the  '  preacher  of  righteousness,'  as  Noah 
is  called  in  the  sacred  word.  He  alon«  was  found  worthy  of  deliv- 
erance from  the  deluge,  and  to  become  the  second  father  of  the 
human  family,  from  whom  descended  the  Son  of  God,  the  world's 
Redeemer,  It  is  written,  '  Honor  thy  father.'  But  to  the  argument. 
I  thought  you  were  too  well  versed  in  logic  to  object  to  tracing 
efi'ects  back  to  their  causes ;  and  that  you  were  too  fond  of  looking 
through  a  subject,  to  be  desirous  of  commencing  short  of  the  begin- 
ning, or  to  stop  short  of  the  eading.  ]My  purpose  is,  according  to 
the  tgreemeBt,  to  investigate  the  subject  as  taught  in  the  Bible.  I 
am  beginning  at  the  fountain,  and  shall  trace  the  stream  through  all 
Its  meanderings,   showing  its  origin,  regulation  and  perpetuity." 

"  Do  not  be  on  tho  opposite  extreme  of  Rip  Van  Winkle,  and  run 
too  fa.'it  to  f  ead,  nor  despise  things  because  they  are  old." 

"  Jrutli  loses  none  of  its  value  by  age,  nor  is  error  entitled  to 
respect  on  account  ©f  its  later  origin.  If  jou  will  not  accept  the 
>Jiblc  as  authority,  why  the  discussion  is  at  an  end." 

"  Oh  :  no  uncle,  proceed.  I  only  objected  to  your  going  back  so 
lar  to  vindicate  slavery  in  its  present  revolting  aspect," 

"  And  I  only  went  back  to  show  that  this  revolting  institution,  as 
you  are  pJtased  to  call  it,  was  ordained  by  God,  and  was  therefore 
right,  for  God  can  do  no  wrong." 

•'  I  remember,"  said  Nellie,  "  to  have  heard  one  of  our  preachers 
giving  an  account  of  slavery,  and  I  think  it  was  from  the  Seripture 
B 


10  NKLLIK   NORTON. 

you  have  just  road.  He  paid  the  poor  Israelite  who  became  hope* 
lessly  indebted,  was  sold,  that  the  debt  niij:ht  be  jiaid ;  but  at  the 
end  of  soveo  jaars  he  was  by  law  relented.  S'o  I  don't  think  you 
will  prove  perpetual  Borvitude  from  this  law." 

"  Your  preacher  thought  this  poor  Ipraelito  descended  from 
Oanaao,  did  he'!  It  might  be  well  for  hiui  to  study  genealogy. 
There  is  a  law  regulating  the  slavery  of  the  poor  Hebrews,  fouud  in 
Exodus  xxi :  2-G,  'If  thou  buy  an  Hebrew  ser\'aut,  six  years  he 
tjhall  serve,  and  in  the  ncveuth  he  shall  go  out  free  for  nothing.  If 
he  came  in  by  himself  he  ^hall  go  out  by  himself:  if  he  were  married 
then  his  wife  «hall  go  out  with  him.  If  his  master  have  given  him 
a  wife,  and  .she  have  borne  him  sons  or  daughters ;  the  wife  and 
her  children  shall  be  her  masters',  and  he  shall  go  out  by  himself. 
And  if  the  servant  plainly  say,  •  I  love  my  master,  my  wife  and  my 
children,  I  will  not  go  out  free,  then  his  master  ^<llall  bring  him  unto 
the  door,  or  unto  the  door  post :  and  his  master  shall  bore  his  ear 
through  with  an  awl,  and  he  shall  serve  him  forever.'  This  law  is 
also  repeated  in  Dent,  xv :  16,  17.  The  law  here  enacted  was  a 
necessity  growing  out  of  the  nature  of  things.  I  mean,  the  organi- 
zation of  human  society,  and  the  dependences  of  the  poor  classen 
upon  the  rich.  This  form  of  slavery  exists  to  a  greater  or  less 
extent  in  all  countries,  where  African  slavery  does  not.  At  the 
North,  you  make  slaves  of  the  poor  people,  instead  of  supporting 
them  voluntarily,  as  we  do.  You  enslavo  your  unfortunate  kindred 
who  become  dependent  upon  you  for  support.  The  truth  is,  the 
world  never  hue,  and  never  oan  exist  without  slavery  in  some  form. 
T.  II.  R.  Cobb,  an  able  writer  on  thi.s  subject  says  :  '  1»  every  orga- 
nized community  there  must  be  a  laboring  class  to  execute  the  plans 
devi.sed  by  wiser  heads ;  to  till  the  ground,  and  to  perform  the 
menial  ofiicei  necessarily  connected  with  social  life.'  It  therefore 
follows,  as  a  consequence,  tkat  where  negro  slavery  does^ot  exist, 
the  rich  will  enslave  the  poor  of  their  own  race. 

"The  curse  pronounced  by  God,  through  Noah,  upon  Ham  and 
his  descendants,  is  subject  to  no  such  restrictions  and  limitatiejjs  as 
geverned  enslaved  Hebrews.  It  was  to  extend  irom  generation  to 
generation,  to  be  perpetual.  Hence  yeu  see  Abraham  '  the  father 
•f  the  faithful,  the  friend  of  God,'  was  the  owner  of  a  large  dumber 
ef  slaves.  Some  were  '  burn  in  his  house,'  and  some  were* '  beugkt 
with  his  money.'  So  it  is  evident  that  slavery  was  common  in  those 
days;  add  the  domestic  slave  trade,  so  much  abhorred  by  the  abeli- 
tionists,  and  which  affords  themes  of  such  bitter  denunoiationa 
against  the  South,  was  also  praetiscd,  even  by  the  very  best  men. 


NELLIE  NORTON.  11 

"  Abraham  trafficked  in  human  fiesh,  when  he  btught  servants 
with  his  money." 

''  My  dear  uncle,  you  shock  me,  you  horrify  me,  when  you  say 
that  Abraham,  *  in  whom  all  the  families  of  the  earth  were  t«  be 
blest,'  bought  human  beings  for  the  purpose  of  enslaving  them. 
Surely  this  cannot  be  true  ;  but,  if  it  ie,  I  apprehend,  the  reason  is 
to  be  found  in  the  fact,  that  in  the  dark  age  in  which  Abraham 
lived,  the  people  were  not  civilized  and  ealightened  as  they  are  now. 
They  saw  through  a  glass  darkly,  that  was  but  the  misty  twilight  of 
our  day." 

"  But  Nelly,  it  was  so  ordained  of  God,  and  Ho  was  not  less  wise 
and  good  then  than  now.  The  advancement  of  the  world  has  not 
enlightened  the  mind,  nor  refined  the  sensibilities  of  deity.  I  think 
your  sensibilities  are  morbid,  when  they  revolt  at  that  which  God 
has  done.  Your  sympathy  for  the  slave  is,  I  fear,  quite  abovo  your 
reverence  for  Deity.  Be  careful,  lest  in  avoiding  Scylla  you  are 
Wreeked  in  Cbarybdis." 

"  As  much  as  I  love  you,  my  dearest  uncle,  and  much  as  I  con- 
fide in  your  honesty  and  intelligence,  you  must  excuse  me  for  not 
taking  your  ip^e  dixit  as  to  the  j3(rrpe^viCy  of  slavery.  That  Abra- 
ham bought  and  held  them  is  certainly  true,  and  that  Canaan  was 
to  be  a  '  servant  of  servants,'  and  was  to  serve  his  brethren,  is  also 
true ;  but  it  does  not  therefore  follow  that  the  institution  was  to  be 
perpetual.     I  cannot  believx!  it.     7  do  not  wish  to  heliev  it." 

Nellie's  check  flushed,  atid  she  grew  animated  as  she  emphasized 
the  closing  sentence  :  "  Your  proofs  arc  insufficient ;  they  want 
point  and  force.  Your  quotation  is  irrelevant;  the  phrase  <  servant 
of  servants,'  does  not  mean  perpetual  servitude,"  she  replied. 

"Then,"  continued  her  uncle,  "  they  shall  be  strong  enough  for 
you,  if  you  will  take  divine  testimony.  Will  you  be  kind  enough 
to  open  the  Bible  and  read^Leviticus  xxv  :  44-46  ?" 

Nellie  took  the  Bible  and  opening  to  the  chapter  and  verses, 
reluctantly  read  : 

"  Both  thy  bondmen  and  thy  bondmaids  which  thou  shalt  have, 
shalt  be  of  the  heathen  that  arc  round  about  you  ;  of  them  shall  yr. 
buy  bondmen  and  bondmaids.  IMorcover,  of  the  children  of  the 
strangers  that  do  sojourn  among  you,  of  thcra  shall  ye  buy,  and  of 
their  families  that  arc  with  you,  which  they  begat  in  your  land,  and 
they  shall  be  your  pof^rmion.  And  yc  shall  take  them  as  an 
inheritaner  for  your  children  after  you,  to  inherit  them  after  you  ; 
they  shall  be  your  bondmen  forever.     But  over  your  brethren,  the 


12  NKLLiE    XOKTON. 

children  of  Iprael,  jo  shall  not  rule  one  orcr  another  with  ripor." 
Nellie  clofiod  the  book  and  sat  silently,  while  a  shade  of  discontent 
rented  upon  her  usually  bright  face.  She  felt  no  diaposition  to  speak, 
for  she  knew  not  what  to  say,  and  yet  silence  was  painful,  for  her 
uncle  mif^ht  construe  it  into  i  cijuiescence.  Her  suspeuse  wjis  short, 
however,  for  the  mother  and  aunt,  at  tLe  other  side  of  the  room,  had 
found  it  most  difficult  to  interest  themseWcs,  so  as  to  forget  what 
was  going  on,  and  had  therefore  by  tacit  consent,  suspended  their 
conTersation  in  order  to  hoar  Nellie  read  what  the  Lord  had  said  by 
Moses,  on  the  perpetuity  of  slavery ;  and  seeing  her  embarrassment 
her  aunt  broke  the  silence.  "  I  think  your  discussion  had  better  bo 
suspended  for  the  present;  we  will  grant,  if  you  ask  it,  that  you  are 
both  erudite  and  intellectual;  can  yoa  not  give  us  some  proof  of 
your  superior  social  powers?  Don't  you  think  you  can  afford  to 
play  the  agreeable  for  the  balance  of  the  evening?" 

"  Then  in  one  minute  we  will  join  you,"  said  Mr.  T.,  and  turning 
to  Nellie,  he  said,  "As  we  will  not  have  another  opportunity  for 
several  evenings,  to  converse  on  this  subject  a-rnin,  1  wish  to  men- 
tion a  few  of  the  points  contained  in  the  quotation  you  have  just 
read,  that  you  may  consider  them  at  your  leisure. 

1st.  It  establishes  the  domestic  slave  trade  :  "ye  shall  buy  bond- 
men and  bondmaids.'  2d.  They  were  permitted  to  buy  children 
from  their  parents :  '  Of  the  children  of  the  strangers  that  do 
sojourn  among  you,  of  thtun  shall  ye  buy.'  3d.  They  were  the 
property,  or  chattel,  of  the  owner :  '  And  they  fthall  be  your  posses- 
sion.' 4th.  There  wa.s  no  limit  to  their  servitude,  it  was  to  be  made 
perpetual  :  '  An  inheritance  for  your  children,  your  hondvnn  /or- 
irrr.'  Here  you  have  divine  proof  that  a  holy  and  just  Cod  did 
perpetuate  slavery. 

•' To-morrow  evening  my  young  friend  and  neighbor,  Mr.  Morti- 
mer, is  to  ]>ay  you  a  visit;  on  the  next,  Saturday  evening,  Jacob 
and  I'hebe  arc  to  be  married,  and  on  Sabbath  afternoon  it  is  our 
custom  to  attend  the  religious  services  of  the  colored  people.  In 
the  mean  timo  you  may  be  able  to  give  a  few  leisure  hours  to  con- 
sidering the  subject  of  this  evening's  conversation  and  see  what 
the  '  law  and  the  testimony  '  say." 

Nellie's  mind  was  not  at  rest.  The  Bible  certainly  did  teach  that 
slavery  was  a  perpetual  institution.  Its  chains  were  forged  in 
heaven,  by  God  himself,  and  so  fastened,  that  no  power  could  sunder 
them  but  His.  Here  were  the  words,  she  had  read  them  herself, 
she  could  not  be  mistaken  ;  and  yet  she  had  repeatedly  heard  the 


NELLIE  NORTON.  IS 

contrary  asserted,  by  ministers  in  whom  she  had  the  utmost  confi- 
dence. Her  Sabbath  School  teachers  had  taught  her  that  slavery 
was  inhuman,  iniquitous,  the  sum  of  all  villainies,  that  there  was  no 
authority  whatever  for  it  in  the  word  of  God,  that  Southern  cupidity 
had  forged  its  chains,  and  Northern  philanthnopy  iniixt  break  them  ; 
that  it  was  the  peculiar  mission  of  the  more  enlighted  and 
christianised  people  of  the  North  to  '  break  every  yoke  '  and  set 
every  bondman  free,  and  with  these  sentiments  even  the  great  Dr. 
Wayland  certainly  agreed.  "  How  can  it  be  ?  certainly  the  Bible  is 
not  a  pro-slavery  book.  Surely!  God  is  not  a  pro-shivery  God. 
Impossible  ! !  but  here  is  His  word.  If  it  should  be  true,  (and  how 
am  I  to  doubt  it  ?  have  I  not  been  taught  to  believe,  to  reverence, 
to  obey  it  'i)  what  am  I  to  do  ?  Give  into  the  idea  of  slavery  '{ 
Never,  never.  But  can  I  give  up  my  God  and  my  Bible  ?  Never, 
no  NETER— ;)erisA  the  thouffht.  0  God  help  me,  for  I  know  not 
what  to  do.  0  God,  I  cleave  to  thee  !  *  Let  God  be  true,  but  every 
man  a  liar.'  " 

Poor  Nellie,  there  was  an  invisible  struggle  going  on,  of  which 
none  dreamed  but  herself.  All  her  efforts  to  dispel  her  troubles  and 
engage  pleasantly  in  the  conversation  were  fruitless.  She*  finally 
arose,  and  bidding  them  good  night  retired  to  her  room,  not  how- 
ever to  sleep,  but  to  wrestle  in  agony  as  to  whether  she  should  cling 
to  the  prejudices  of  her  early  education  and  still  advocate  abolition- 
ipm,  and  in  that  event  to  reject  the  Bible  as  a  revelation  from  God  ; 
or  in  humble  confidence  in  the  justice  and  immutable  righteousness 
of  its  great  author,  accept  the  Bible  with  all  its  teachings.  Finally 
she  caught  the  idea,  that  Southern  slavery  could  not  be  defended 
from  the  sacred  volume,  and  laying  the  flattering  unction  to  her 
heart,  quieted  her  nerves  and  fell  asleep. 


14  Nhl.i-lK    .NUJcTuN. 


CHAPTER    II. 


TujV  of  Mr    Mortimer — N^ctjro  Wedding — Sahhath  Sschnol — Pruyrr 

Meeting. 

Nellie  did  not  awake  the  next  morning  till  the  sun  had  ascended 
hifrh  up  into  the  heaTcns,  and  covered  the  earth  with  his  golden  light. 

Am  J.  the  chamber  maid,  had  the  room  wcfl  warmed,  and  had 
been  long  waiting  impatiently  for  the  young  sleeper  to  awake. 

"Missus,  time  to  git  up,  breafus' ready,  been  waitoa  longtime 
for  you." 

Nellie  opened  her  eyes  upon  the  Ethiopian  maid,  and  beholding 
hpr  bright  countenance,  her  smiling  face  and  ivory  teeth,  was 
reminded  of  the  fact  that  she  wais  in  the  land  of  slavery.  When  she 
stepped  upon  the  thick  warm  carpet  and  advanced  to  the  fire,  and 
gazed  around  upon  the  many  comforts  that  met  her  view,  and  became 
cognizant  of  the  du.sky  Aniy'.s  attentions,  having,  for  their  object, 
her  comfort^  her  convictions  of  Southern  life  and  manners  were 
materially  modified.  She  had  not  yet  discovered  that  blight  she 
expect*!  to  behold  imprinted  by  slavery  upon  everything,  animate 
and  inanimate,  on  manners,  customs  and  habit.s.  She  had  expected 
to  see  a  cold  remorseless  tyranny,  a  grinding  aristocracy  ;  and  a 
dumb,  despairing,  revengeful  fOavo  population.  Skc  had  expected 
proud  hauteur,  overbearing  and  hcartkus  dospotiyni  on  the  one  hand, 
and  cringing  servility,  composed  of  hopeless  fear  and  smothered 
wrath,  on  the  other.  She  had  expected  to  see  moss-grown  decay, 
and  evidences  of  an  cfToniinate  civilization,  instead  of  warm,  genial 
comfort,  general  «atisfa«ti()n  and  happiness,  and  universal  signs  of 
confidence,  love  and  prosperity. 

Nellie  bad  been  accustomed  to  wait  entirely  on  herself  at  home. 
Here  she  inds  a  chair  placed  by  the  fire  for  her,  polite  hands  warm 
her  ghoes  and  stockings  and  hand  them  to  her.  Her  garmenta  arc 
likcwi.^e  warmed  and  handed  to  her.  Nimble  fingers  aid  in  adjust- 
ing kcr  attire,  the  water  is  poured  into  the  bowl  for  her,  and  a  towel 
is  extended  to  her,  and  when  the  last  touch  of  arrangement  has  been 
given  to  her  hair,  skilful  hands  slip  her  morning  dress  over  her 
head,  and  with  a  few  expert  manipulations,  complete  hor  attire,  and 
leave  her  ready  to  descend  to  the  breakfaBt  table. 

"  You  looks  mighty  nice  die  Moinin'  Miss,  1  bound  Mas'  George 
'praise  you,  ?ud  think  you  mighty  sweet  when  he  sees  you.  Dis 
dress  mighty  purty,  I  'specks  you  gib  it  to  me  when  you  go  home. 


NELLIE   NORTON.  16 

Gwiue  to  have  big  weddin'  to-morrow  night  ma'am,  Misses  been  busy 
'bout  it  all  de  mornin'.  Jacob  and  Phebe  gwine  to  marry,  and  uncle 
Jesse  gwine  to  'form  de  sarimony,  and  me  and  Klsey  gwine  to  be  de 
tcndunts  wid  Sam  and  Guss,"  &c.  Thus  the  jubilant  girl  ran  on  in 
a  strain  of  intelligesce  to  the  surprise  and  pleasure  of  Nellie,  till 
she  descended  to  the  dising  room. 

"  Her  world  was  ever  joyous — 
She  thought  of  grief  and  pain 
As  giants  in  the  olden  time, 
That  ne'er  would  come  again." 

•  After  breakfast,  Nellie  and  her  young  cousin,  Alice  Thompson, 
walked  to  the  front  porch.  The  day  was  one  of  those  rich,  haay 
autumnal  days,  all  flooded  with  glorious  sunshine,  and  mellowed  by 
a  soft  Southern  breeze  so  common  to  our  Southern  climate.  Thej 
then  walked  to  the  back  d*or,  and  gazed  for  a  while  on  the  magni- 
ficent live  oaks,  and  majostie  magnolias,  that  shaded  the  back  jard. 

On  all  sides,  elegance,  comfort  and  plenty  were  visible,  accom- 
panied wirti  contentment,  peace  and  happiness.  Nellie's  eye,  with 
a  delight  bordering  on  rapture,  took  in  the  glories  of  the  whole  scene  :  :  '^ 
its  fields,  its  fences,  its  trees,  its  shrubs,  its  houses,  its  gardens,  its 
evidences  of  solid  prosperity  and  comfort ;  and  she  mentally  contrasted 
it  with  her  own  prim,  precise,  economical  home.  She  eontrasted  the 
cold  calculating  manners  of  the  North,  with  the  open,  warm,  genial 
habits  of  the  South.  She  arrayed  the  hired  indiflFerent  services  of 
"  white  helps,"  with  their  frequent  "  warnings,"  with  the  confiding 
filial  obedience  of  Southern  slaves,  jumping  with  a  smile  to  perform 
a  behest.  She  could  nut  help  comparing  the  cold,  selfish  relations 
existing  between  mistress  and  servant  in  New  England,  and  the 
open,  warm,  friendly,  confiding  feeling  manifested  between  the  slaves 
and  their  owners.  Here  was  a  master  an^  mistress  engaged  in 
preparations  at  considerable  trouble  and  expense,  to  furnish  a  sump- 
tuous supper  and  appropriate  dressing  to  gratify  two  slaves  who 
were  going  to  be  married.  Nellie  wai  surprised,  but  could  not  be 
blind  to  these  things. 

She  and  Alice  took  a  walk  among  the  negro  cabins,  and  the  ebony 
damsels  crowded  around  and  followed  them  with  the  greatest  glee 
imaginable,  now  and  theo  one  venturing  a  remark  at  which  all  the 
rest  would  giggle  immoderately ;  and  when  Nellie  thought  proper  to 
engage  in  some  slight  badinage,  the  universal  merriment  seemed  to 
reach  its  utmost  bight.     Nelliu  had  n^verseon  each  merrj  Heryants. 


10  NELLIE  NORTON. 

Not  one  geeroed  borne  down  with  that  mighty  incubus  of  care  and 
oppresKJon  she  had  expected  ;  but  decked  out  in  bright  colors,  and 
new  nhoes,  and  flaming  "  head  handkerchers,"  they  followed  her  as 
entirely  free  from  care  and  liberty-longing  as  school  children  upon 
any  academy  lawn. 

"  You  Jim  I  aint  you  comin'  along  wid  dem  chips  if"  Thus 
resounded  from  the  vicinage  of  her  huge  pot,  the  voice  of  "  Aunt 
Fanny."  It  was  "  Aunt  Fanny's  "  business  to  cook  for  the  "chilern," 
and  take  care  of  them,  the  latter  she  did  most  effectually  by  ruling 
them  with  a  rod  of  birch.  Her  large  pot  is  filled  with  meal,  greens 
and  "  duHiplings,''  and  the  "  taters "  are  wrapped  in  the  ashes. 
When  at  twelve  o'clock,  all  are  ready,  she  deals  out  to  all  according 
to  her  "  resarved  rights,"  that  is  to  say,  she  has  a  half  dozen  or  more 
large  trays  and  basins,  filled  with  the  contents  of  the  pot,  around 
which  gather  from  three  to  five  of  the  little  Africans,  and  seating 
themselves,  eat  till  they  are  all  satisfied.  ' 

'*  You,  Jim,"  says  Aunt  Fanny,  as  she  saw  Nellie  approaching, 
"  aint  you  comin'  long  wid  dem  chips  ?  I  see  you  foolin'  long  dar, 
sir  ;  never  mind,  I  whip  you  for  dat  sho's  you  born;  you  see  if  I 
don't  now."  "While  "  Aunt  Fanny  "  is  very  good  naturedly  explain- 
ing to  Nellie  how  she  cooks  for  and  takes  care  of  **de  chilern,"  and 
was  very  proud  of  being  so  honored  by  the  attention  of  "young 
miss,"  Jim  approaches  the  pot  with  his  basket  of  chips,  wholly 
unpbserved  by  "  Aunt  Fanny,"  whose  kind  heart  has  already 
forgotten  the  threat,  and  getting  on  hi.s  knees,  throws  the  chips 
somewhere  near  about  the  fire,  while  he  gazes  all  the  time,  with 
open  mouth,  into  the  face  of  Nellie. 

Twenty  or  thirty  little  darkies  gather  around  her,  all  fat  and 
Baucy,  jully  and  lively,  and  not  in  the  least  disconcerted,  they  gaze 
into  her  face,  and  laugh  aqd  stare,  with  the  whites  of  their  eyes 
upturned  and  their  niouths  spread  from—  side  to  side. 

"  Do  they  get  enough  to  cat,  aunty  ?" 

"  God  bless  your  soul,  chile,  plenty ;  I  stuffs  'em,  see  how  fat 
dey  is." 

"  Where  do  you  get  the  food  "/" 

"  I  gits  it  from  de  smoke-house  every  mornin'.  Boss  weighs  it 
out,  and  I  biles  de  raiddlin',  and  greens,  and  dumplins  for  'em  in  de 
pot,  and  cooks  de  taters  in  de  ashes.     Plenty,  dey  gets  nuff,  sho." 

Thus  pleasant'y  and  swiftly  the  time  glided  away  with  Nellie. 
Late  in  the  afternoon  Mr.  Mortimer  came  over  to  take  tea  and 
make  the  acquaintance  of  Mrs.  Norton  and  her  daughter.     He  was 


NELLIE   NORTON.  17 

the  friend  nnd  neighbor,  and  intimate  associate  of  Mr.  Thompson, 
and  was  always  a  welcome  guest  in  his  family.  He  was  of  medium 
height,  and  very  graceful,  wilh  an  iutollectual  cast  of  features.  He 
was  intelligent  and  agreeable,  commanding  fine  converfational 
powers,  and  a  high-toned  gentleman  of  une.Kceptional  moral  chjrrac- 
tcr.  The  elegance,  courtcousness  and  affability  displayed  by  Mr.  M. 
during  the  evenifig,  made  time  pass  in  the  family  circle  with  un- 
wonted celerity,  and  all  seemed  disappointed  when  the  hour  of  eleven 
arrived  and  their  young  friend  took  his  leave. 

After  his  departure  no  remarks  were  made  a.s  to  the  young  visitor. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  waited  for  their  relatives  to  say  how  they  were 
pi'eased,  and  Mrs.  Norton  waited  for  Nellie  ;  she  from  choice,  oi  de- 
sign, was  silent.  To  tell  the  whole  truth,  she  was  very  favorably 
iuipresi5ed,  but  would  not  commit  herself  till  a  better  and  more 
thorough  acquaintance  with  his  true  character.  "  Make  haste  to  be 
slow  in  forming  your  opinion  of  young  men,"  was  her  father's 
favorite  proverb,  and  she  believed  it  was   correct  and  acted  upon  it. 

Saturday,  -the  weddihg  day,  dawned  upon  the  world  in  cloudless 
glory.  It  was  a  jubilant  holiday  for  all  the  servants  on  the  planta- 
tion of  Mr.  Thompson. 

The  bride-groom  expectant  was  Jacob,  now  foreman  of  the  plan- 
tation. He  had  been  promoted  to  the  important  post  of  "  driver  " 
for  liis  fidelity  and  honesty.  He  was  about  twenty-five,  of  a  yellow 
complexion,  and  as  dashing  and  good  humored  a  fellow  as  you  find 
in  a  day's  drive.  He  devotedly  loved  his  master  and  mistress,  and 
would  have  died  for  .Miss  Alice.  Phebe  was  about  twenty-six,  and  wa.s 
Mrs.  T.'s  houso-maid,  a  (juiet,  respectful  woman,  who  knew  her  duty 
and  always  did  it  well.     Her  complexion  was  dark. 

Thoy  were  about  to  consummate  a  long  cherished  attachment,  and 
both  the  master  and  mistress  thought  fit  to  grace  the  occasion  with 
their  presence,  and  invited  their  guests  also  to  enjoy  this,  to  them, 
novel  scene. 

Mr.  Mortimer,  having  come  over  by  special  invitation,  joined  the 
party,  who  proceeded  to  the  neat  double  cabin  whose  larger  room 
had  been  cleanly  swept  and  neatly  arranged,  and -on  whose  wide 
hearth  a  bright  fire  was  blazing. 

Negro  weddings  are  more  ilately  and  solemn  than  one  would 
naturally  suppose.  Negroes  are  impressible  creatures,  and  are  easily 
affected  by  aught  of  the  august. 

The  whites  stopped  in  front  of  the  door,  rat  ker  than  crowd  through 

C 


18  NELLIE   XOBTOX. 

the  anxious  mass  of  lookers-on,  but  they  eajojed  a  tolerable  view, 
and  heard  all  that  was  said. 

Tkc  door  of  the  little  room  was  thrown  open,  and  one  coupl« 
elegantly  dressad,  entered,  ranging  themselves  on  the  right ;  then 
another  rouple,  ranging  thcniselvcB  towards  the  left ;  theic  were 
followed  bj  Jacob  and  l^hebe.  Each  female  attendant  wore  a  white 
muslin  dress,  with  white  flowers  in  their  hair,  all  tidily  arranged  by 
Mrs.  Thompson,  Alica  and  Nellie.  Each  male  was  dressed  in  broad- 
cloth, with  shining  boots,  ruffled  shirts,  .standing  col^irs  and  white 
gloves,  with  their  pocket  handkerchiefs  but  half  concealed"  in  their 
breast  pockets.  Phebe  was  tastefully  dressed  in  white,  with  slippera 
and  a  long  white  veil ;  altogether  she  presented  an  elegant  appear- 
ance. Jacob  was  done  up  in  a  new  suit  of  broad  cloth,  a  present, 
for  the  occasion  from  his  master;  he  wore  a  white  vest,  gloves  and 
cravat,  and  with  a  fair  personal  appearance,  was  the  n>'  p/nn  iiltrn  of 
negro  elegance. 

Not  a  sound  .was  heard,  all  were  silent  ai\d  .still  as  the  grave, 
"Uncle  Jesse"  advanced,  with  book  in  hand  ;  there  wa.s  a  solemnity 
of  appearance  about  his  face  and  demeanor  highly  instructive  and 
impressive.  After  a  moment's  pause,  to  collect  his  thoughts  and 
appear  dignified,  he  began  : 

"  God  made  Adam  fust,  he  staid  long  time  in  the  garden  'thout  a 
a  wife,  but  he  wan't  satisfied  and  happy,  though  he  have  every  other 
thing  he  want.  Then  God  say,  it  no  good  for  the  man  that  he  be 
alone,  I  make  a  help  meet  for  him,  to  comfort  him  in  sickness  and 
nui  him  in  trouble,  and  to  talk  to  him  when  he  lonesome.  So  God 
make  Eve  outen  Adam's  rib,  and  aay,  she  bone  of  your  bone  and 
flesh  of  your  flesh,  and  for  this  cause  a  man  shall  quit  he  father  and 
mother,  and  stay  with  his  wife.  Any  body  present  got  any  objec- 
tions to  this  lady  and  gentleman  bein'  married  into  holy  matrimony, 
80  they  now  make  it  known  or  hold  their  peace  foreverniore.  Once, 
twice,  thrice — no  objection- 

"  Jacob,  take  Phebe  by  the  hand.  Do  you  brother  Jacob  take 
Phebe  to  be  your  lovin'  and  true  wife  ?  Will  you  love  her  like 
Abraham  loved  !*'arah,  treat  her  kind  like  Isaac  did  Rebecca,  ke 
faithful  to  her  like  Zacharias  was  to  Elizabeth,  and  not  cleave  to  no 
other  woman  but  her,  till  she  die — do  you  ?"  A  graceful  bow  and 
a  scrape  of  the  foot,  was  the  aflBrmative  response. 

"  Do  you,  sister  Phebe,  take  brother  Jacob  to  be  your  lone  hus- 
band. To  honor  him  as  8arah  did  Abraham,  aad  obey  him  as 
Rebecca  did  Isaac,  and  nus  him,  and  comfort  him  as  Elizabeth  did 


NELLIE   I^ORTON.  19 

Zacharias,  and  always  cleave  to  no  other  man  till  he  dead — do  you?" 
A  quick  courtesy  was  the  response.  "  Then  I  pronounce  you  husband 
and  wife,  with  the  blessing  of  God  to  live  together  forever.    Amen." 

Great  confusion  followed  as  each  one  pressed  forward  to  wish  the 
uewly  married  couple  "much  joy."  Many  efforts  at  wit  were  made, 
and  a  general  scene  of  hilarity  ensued,  which  was  kept  up  till  supper 
was  announced.  The  repast  was  not  less  sumptuous  than  elegant. 
The  "  bride's  cake  "  Was  exquisitely  beautiful. 

"  Uncle  Jssse  "  asked  a  blessing  at  the  table,  at  the  conclusion  of 
which  each  bowed  his  head  and  scraped  his  feot.  It  was  interest- 
ing to  see  the  young  "  gen'men,"  waiting  on  the  '•  ladies,"  as  they 
handed  round  the  table  first  one  dish  and  then  another. 

lint  the  scene  after  supper,  far  surpassed  anything  which  had 
preceded  it.  The  "playing  songs,"  and  kissing,  the  joyous  peels  of 
laughttfr,  the  continuous  gleeful  mirth,  the  "  uproarious  "  outbursts 
of  merriment,  beggar  all  description.  I  therefore  lay  down  my  pen, 
and  leave  the  reader  to  imagine,  what  must  have  been  the  impres- 
sions on  the  mind  of  Miss  Nellie  Norton,  just  from  New  England. 

If  yeu  have  never  witnessed  one  of  these  scenes,  be  assured,  kind 
reader,  it  is  good  for  dyspepsia,  a  certain  cure  for  the  "  blues,"  and 
will  make  a  preacher  laugh. 

Bat  we  leave  the  negroes  to  play  and  sing  what  they  please,  and 
as  long  as  they  please,  to  fiddle,  "  pat  Juba,"  and  daace  and  have  a 
merry  time  generally,  if  they  like.  The  hour  is  late  and  we  must 
prepare  for  the  Sabbath,  when  we  are  again  to  meet  some  of  these 
happy  Ethiopians,  but  under  different  circumstances. 

On  arrifing  at  the  house,  Mr.  Thompson  opened  his  mail,. which 
pressing  engagements  since  its  arrival  at  sun  down,  had  prevented. 
•'  A  letter  for  Nellie,"  he  exclaimed.  She  came  bounding  to  his 
eide,  and  opened  and  read  with  great  eagerness,  the  following  note  : 

Pulaski  House,  Sav.,  Nov.  i3d,  18 — . 

Miiis  Xellitf  Xvrton  :  Dear  Young  Friend — You  will  doubtless  be 
surprised  to  receive  this  from  me,  bearing  date  at  this  place.  My 
health  suddenly  failed,  my  symptoms  became  alarming,  and  my 
physicians  recommended  a  trip  South,  to  which  my  parishioners 
generously  consented. 

It  would  afford  me  pleasure  to  come  out  and  spend  a  few  days 
with  you  and  your  good  mother,  which  I  contemplate  doing  at  my 
earliest  convenience.  » 

What  a  beautiful  land  is  this,  bow  sweet  itn  breezes,  bow  balmy  iti 


20  N ELI. IK    NORTON. 

uir.  What  a  paradise  it  would  be  but  lor  the  curf«  of  slavery 
But  O  the  groaninj  of  the  oppressed  I  Jlay  the  time  be  fastened 
wlien  CTcry  joke  shall  be  broken. 

In  hante,  Your  affectiorjnte  Pastor, 

Daniel  B.  I^uatt. 
"O   Mother,  it's  from   Mr.  I'ratt,   and  he   i»  in  .Savanuah.   cutHe 
Itecause  bis  health  failed,  and  wants  to  come  out  and  ^ee  u».      (Jiiele, 
can't   you  send    for   him  iu    the    inoriiiuj:,    and    let   him    ooiue    out 
to- morrow  r' 

'•  Shall  I  send  for  hiui  ou  Suhhuih,  Nellie?" 

'*  0  yes',  uncle,  it's  no  barm  uiu/cr  (lie  ciniimxtayirtDi  to  send  for  a 
poor  sick  preacher  to  get  out  and  cujoj  a  little  fresh  country  air. 
iH  it?" 

"  Well,  just  as  you  say.  I  don  t  think  you  would  survive  '.ill 
Monday,  8o  I  will  have  the  carriage  off  early.  Write  him  a  note,  that 
we  will  expect  hiui  early  to  dinner;  a  cold  dinner,  enjoyed  by  warm 
hearted  friends."  Nellie  tripped  away  to  jien  the  note,  while  Mr. 
ThompsoB  went  to  inform  Jack  that  he  must  go  up  to  tbo  eity  early 
in  the  morning,  with  the  carriage,  to  bring  out  a  gentleman  who  wa* 
at  rtie  Pulaski  House. 

At  one  o'clock,  on  Sabbath,  Dr  Pratt  arrived.  He  was  met  at 
the  carriage  by  Nellie,  and  her  mother,  and  31r.  Thompaou.  Mr. 
T.  extended  to  him  a  cordial  welcome,  and  invited  him  to  n'ako  his 
house  his  home  while  at  the  South.  In  this  invitation,  iMr.s.  T., 
after  being  introduced  to  the  Doctor,  cordially  united.  Dr.  I'rattwas 
surprised  at  the  open  hearted  frankness  and  generosity  of  his  new 
friend.  It  was  his  tirst  trip  South,  and  he  was  not  prepared  to 
believe  there  was  anywhere  to  be  found  such  whole  soulcd  generosity, 
much  less  among  the  slaveocraoy. 

If  the  reader  desires  a  description  of  Daniel  B.  Pratt,  D.  D.,  they 
can  just  imagine  a  short,  stoUt  man,  with  large  blue  oy«s,  a  bald 
head,  a  fair  skin,  and  a  large  roman  no.se,  with  a  polite  and  easy 
address,  and  a  real  "down  Easter's"  brogue,  compressed  lips,  erect 
head,  rather  incfined  to  throw  it  back,  with  a  large  natural  protuber- 
ance on  the  top  of  the  head.  He  was  phrtnologically  a  man  of  self- 
will,  self-esteem,  and  great  firmness,  cmounting  to  stubbornness. 

At  three  o'clock  Mr.  Thompson  asked  Dr.  Pratt  if  he  would 
accompany  him  and  Nellie  to  the  negro  church  to  witness  a  negro 
Sunday  School  and  Prayer  meeting.  He  readily,  censented.  A 
walk  of  near  a  half  mile  brought  them  to  a  neat  little  painted  house 
with    glas*   windows,   and    a  beJl.      On   entering   they  found  about 


NELLIE   NORTON.  2i 

thirtj  negro  clnldren/all  in  clean  clothes,  some  with  hats  and  Bouie 
with  bonnets,  and  some  bare  headed,  seated  on  the  front  benches. 

A  white  lady  was  sitting  near.  She  was  a  worthy  young  lady,  and 
1  must  honor  my  readers  with  an  introduction  to  her. 

Miss  Kate  Nelson  was  the  governess  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Thouip- 
^oll.  She  was  "  to  the  manor  born,"  a  true  Georgian  lady.  She 
wa.s  thoroughly  educated,  graceful,  dignified  and  intelligent,  modest 
:(iid  retiring,  but  not  bashful.  She  knew  her  duty,  and  as  a  con- 
hcientious  christian,  was  always  found  laboring  to  discharge  it.  It 
was  her  custom,  at  Mr.  T.'s  request,  to  teach  his  young  negroes, 
orally,  every  Sabbath  afternoon,  and  learn  them  to  sing.  In  oate- 
(hising  them,  she  asked  the  question  and  then  answered  it,  and 
made  all  the  pupils  repeat  it  after  her  two  or  three  times  till  they 
oould  remember  it.  They  displayed  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the 
eroatiou,  flood,  calling  of  Abraham,  the  ten  commandments,  &c.  Lti 
learning  them  to  sing,  it  was  her  custom  to  read  the  first  line  of  the 
verse,  then  have  them  all  repeat  it,  then  read  the  other  in  like  man- 
ner, then  repeat  both  toiiether,  and  so  through  the  song,  singing 
each  verse  as  soon  as  they  could  repeat  it.  I  observed  ihj\t  Miss 
Nelson  seemed  partial  to  those  songs  which  had  .a  chorous,  and  the 
school  seemed  to  sing  them  with  greater  zeal. 

The  little  ones  all  sang  with  open  mouths  and  extended  voice-s. 
It  was  really  refreshing  to  see  and  hear  them.  They  were  always 
delighted  with  the^exercises,  and  engaged  in  them  with  their  whole 
eou1  and  mind.  They  felt  complimented  when  honored  with  the 
preseace  of  "  Mas'  George,"  which  was  not  unfrequcnt. 

The  New  England  clergyman  was  surprised,  but  was  evidently 
reluctant,  to^  believe  that  any  "good  thing  could  come  out  of  Naza- 
reth." He  expressed  no  approbation,  it>T  the  sin  of  slavery  could 
not  be  atoned  for,  in  his  estimation,  by  anything  which  the  master 
could  do.  Nellie  was  delighted,  "enthused,"  carried  away  with  the 
scene.  She  was  extravagant  in  her  praise,  and  her  generous  youag 
heart  felt  the  impulses  she  so  eloquently  expressed. 

Before  the  exercises  closed,  the  house  was  moderately  filled  with 
adult  people,  who  had  come  in  to  attend  the  prayer  meeting. 

As  soon  as  the  Sabbath  School  exercises  were  concluded,  the 
children  were  dismissed,  to  go  home  or  remain  as  they  pleased. 
j\Iany  of  them  moved  io  seats  a  little  in  the  rear,  and  soon  all  was 
still  and  quiet. 

Dick,  the  chorister,  lined  out  and  led  in  singing — 
"  When  I  C4in  read  my  title  clear.'' 


22  NELLIE  NORTON. 

All  joiued  in  swelling  the  strain,  and  many  made  "  melody  in 
their  hearts  unto  the  Lord."  Negroes  love  to  sing,  and  never  drawl 
out  their  words  into  discordant  sounds.  There  is  no  dragging  in 
their  voice,  never  a  nasal  sound.  The  lips  apart,  the  head  thrown 
back,  the  chest  expanded,  the  eyes  generally  closed,  and  a  full,  round, 
sonoreus  voice  is  uttered  forth  by  each  ;  the  commingling  of  which 
charms  and  thrills  the  heart  of  the  listener. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  song,  one  of  the  colored  brethren,  at 
the  request  of  "uncle  Jesse,"  led  in  prayer.  Brother  Jesse  aroso 
and  addressed  Dr  Pratt,  as  the  "  visiting  brother,"  and  invited  him 
to  conduct  the  meeting,  but  the  Doctor  declined,  rendering  as  an 
excuse,  ill  health,  and  fatigue,  but  promised  to  do  so  at  some  future 
day,  if  he  could. 

"  Uncle  Jesse "  then  read  the  14th  Chapter  of  John,  one  so 
interesting  to  every  christian  heart.  He  paused  and  gave  a  short 
comment  on  the  first  of  the  chapter,  reminding  them  of  the  blessed 
mansions  in  their  Father's  house;  and«the  comins;  of  the  Savior  for 
them,  when  all  was  completed  for  their  comfort;  concluding  his 
address  with  many  earnest  words  of  exhortation,  and  then  closing 
by  prayer.  He  asked  as  was  his  custom,  if  any  other  brother  had 
anything  to  say.  Brother  Gabriel,  a  tall  black,  middle  aged  mah 
arose  and  said  : 

"  My  bredren,  I's  happy  on  dis  nospicious  occasion  to  'zort  jou  on 
in  de  pilgrimage.  Abraham,  he  set  one  foot  fore  de  tudder  in  gwine 
to  Canaan,  but  he  met  de  lion  in  de  den,  and  he  squash  him  to  de 
ground,  and  vociferate  him  to  death.  Dat  was  a  solemngizin'  sight, 
'twixt  Abraham  an'  de  lion.  He  growl  and  turn  he  hair  de  wrong 
way,  and  grin  and  show  he  long  sharp  teeth,  and  Abraham,  he  no 
staggulated  in  de  least,  but  only  de  more  violenter;  he  put  forth  he 
hand  and  wench  him  into  nothin'.  Deu  Joshua,  he  start  to  de 
promised  land,  and  he  meet  de  blazin  sarpent,  but  he  no  go  back. 
No,  he  say,  Ef  you  no  git  out'n  my  way,  I  bruise  you  head.  And 
good  as  he  word,  he  smash  he  head  wid  he  rod  o'  blossoms,  what  he 
walk  wid  ;  and  de  sarpent  he  dead  quicker.  Now  bredren,  what 
you  do  ef  you  be  dar,  I'feard  you  run,  you  go  back,  you  no  go  ober 
de  lion  an'  de  blazin'  sarpent.  But  ef  you  see  Abraham  standin'  on 
Nebo  lookin'  over  into  de  promised  land,  and  see  him  die  a  shoutin', 
case  he  so  happy,  den  you  want  to  smash  de  lion  too.  And  ef  you 
see  Joshua  standin'  on  Mount  Zion,  tulkin'  wid  de  Lord- face  to  face, 
for  forty  days,  and  see  he  face  shine  bright  as  de  moon,  clear  as  de 
sun  and  terrible  as  an  army  wid  banters,  dcH  you  be  willin'  to  meet 
the  'noxious  warment,  and  distribute  he  head  from  he  body. 


NELLIE   KORTOK.  2o 

*'  Bly  bredren,  we  hab  de  lion  ob  dis  world,  and  de  parpent  ob  de 
debil  to  meet  ebry  day,  De  one  got  he  den  ebry  where,  de  udder 
kindle  her  fire  under  you'  feet.  Watch  all  de  day  long,  and  pray  de 
night  tru'  my  bredren  and  sisters.  Watch  all  de  year,  and  all  de 
life  long.  Don't  be  onconsiderate,  but  'joice  all  de  way,  and  let  do 
anxiety  ab  de  heart  be  above,  and  run  de  way  wid  laquity  an'  light. 
Ef  you  fight  de  lion,  like  Abraham,  an'  'molish  de  sarpent  like 
Joshua,  den  when  you  comes  down  to  de  dark  waters  of  Jubilee, 
you  will  mount  de  railk  white  bos',  and  fly  away  to  Gallilee.    Amen  " 

During  this  short,  pathetic  address,  mapy  "  Araen's,"  "  dat's  so," 
"  bless  God,"  and  "  I  feels  'em,"  were  uttered  by  the  colored 
auditory, 

In  conclusion  they  sang  on  "  Jordan's  "stormy  banks  I  stand," 
with  the  chorus,  "  I  am  bound  for  the  promised  land."  Beginning 
with  the  last  speaker,  all  moved  round,  indiscriminately  shaking 
bands,  swaying  to  and  fro,  keeping  time  with  the  music.  When 
they  reached  (he  little  circle  of  whites  the  scene  becam«  affecting 
in  the  highest  degree.  "  God  bless  you  master,"  "  God  bless  you, 
mistia."  "  We'll  meet  in  heaven,"  "  0  sweet  Jesus,"  and  similar 
expressions  were  uttered  by  most  of  them,  while  the  big  tears  that 
rolled  down  their  faces  and  the  powerful  grasp  of  the  hand,  mani- 
fested the  sincerity  of  the  ardent  impulses  which  were  so  apparent. 

Nellie  wept  great  tears  of  joyous  sympathy,  and  so  did  Mr.  T., 
Alice  and  Miss  Nelson.  Dr.  Pratt  alone  remained  unmoved, 
untouched  by  the  happy  scene  before  him.  He  seemed  as  emotion- 
less as  a  statue  of  marble. 

With  the  exception  of  Gabriel's  speech,  everything  connected 
with  the  meeting  was  solemn  and  deeply  affecting,  well  calculated 
to  leave  the  heart  with  better  feelings  and  desires.  But  Dr.  Pratt 
was  greatly  disgusted  with  slavery  when  ho  heard  the  ignorance  of 
Gabriel.  He  did  not  remember  that  some  white  ministers  had 
displayed  as  great  a  want  of  divine  knowledge,  only  they  had 
clothed  their  ignorance  in  better  language.  For  instance:  one  white 
minister  pronounced  Leper  Lenpc.r,  and  said,  '•  The  Leaprosy  made 
persons  le^  like  a  frog."  Another  said  "there  was  sixteen  other 
young  Bsen  rared  up  in  and  around  and  about  me,  but  now  where  is 
'um  ?  They  is  scattered  to  and  here  and  fro  and  there,  and  1  is  left 
a  loneful  watchei  upon  the  hill-tops  of  Zion."  Another  said,  "the 
Savior  put  fur  skins  in  the  water  to  turn  it  to  wine."  Another 
examined  to  see  if  Jonas,  Simon  Peter's  father,  "  was  the  same  who 
swallowed  the  whale." 


24  XELLIK   NOKIVX. 

Hut  1  ruui>l  loavc  my  readers  to  their  own  conclusions.  It  is  fo. 
me  to  state  facts,  and  for  you  to  draw  whatever  deductions  you  may 
pIcaiK?  It  may  be  well  to  premise,  however,  that  we  should  be 
guarded  never  to  identify  an  institution  with  its  abuses.  Kvery 
blencinp  of  hrnveo  is  abused,  more  or  lei«f»,  iu  tho  hands  of  sinful 
men. 

Nor  should  we  judge  of  a  people  by  a  single  man  of  the  race, 
who  irt  not  a  re/iicirnldfii'r  clmrartrr.  It  would  be  unjust  to  judge 
the  Atuerican  people  by  tuih  a  bubuoo  a.s  Abraham  Liucohi,  or  the 
South  by  such  a  traitorous  blackguard  as  Ikownlow.  Nor  should 
negro  intelligcuce  be  adju(|ged  by  the  sUtndurd  of  Gabriel. 

As  they  walked  back  to  the  hou.se,  Mr.  Thompson  turuud  aside  to 
a  negro  cabin  to  see  a  sick  scrvaut,  while  the  doctor  and  Nellie 
walked  on. 

With  eyes  yet  red  with  weeping,  Nellie  turned  to  the  doctor  ani! 
£>aid  :  ''  That  was  u  mcltiug  sight;  the  simple-hearted,  sincere  pict 
of  these  poor  negroes,  is  perfectly  fiuscinating  to  me.  The  perfcci 
freedom  from  :ill  ostentation  and  fornialism,  the  unrestrained  and 
unaflFected  fervor  of  impulse,  the  big  tears,  the  hearty  grasp  of  the 
hand,  the  honest,  heartfelt  "  God  bless  you,"  is  really  refreshing  to 
me.  This  must  be  primitive  Christianity,  unadulterated  by  tho 
spirit  of  the  world.  1  thank  (tod  their  ma.%ters  feci  so  ^ious  an 
intercbt  in  their  .xouls,  atid.th.it  their  offorts  at  evangelizing  them  havr 
met   with   such  signal  success.      Th>i/  are  thr  happifnt  propijf  I  fvn 

Without  raining  his  lK*.id.  tho  doctor  replied  uiorusioly  :  ''They 
are  the  most  miferable  wretches  unhung.  To  play  the  hypocrite  as 
th'jy  did  to-day,  just  to  please  and  obey  a  tyrant  whom  thoy  call 
♦  master  '  There  was  no  religion  in  it.  The  whole  form  and  pre- 
tensiouB  were  cnaeted  in  obedience  to  your  uncle's  behests.  It  is 
the  deepest  and  most  fearful  form  of  hypocrisy,  thus  to  tamper  with 
the  solemnities  of  religioti.  Your  tears  surprised  me.  1  wouM  «s 
soon  think  of  weeping  in  a  bedlam."  _ 

They  had  arrivi<l  at  the'  house,  and  the  couver.sation  ceased. 
I'oor  Nellie  felt  niortifiod  and  disappointed  in  the  severe  cen.wriou.M- 
oess  and  mistaken  views  of  her  pastor.  She  knew  he  waa  mistakeu, 
but  could  only  wish  and  pray  that  future  developments  might  remove 
his  false  impressions. 


NiSLLIE   NORTON.  26 

CHAPTER   III. 

Nellie  Retires  from  the  Discmiion — Dr.  Pratt  takes  her  Place — 
Perpetuity  of  Slavery — An  ancient  Slave's  Opinion — Slavery  in 
the  Decalogue. 

Mrs.  NortOD  and  Nellie  were  delighted  to  see  their  pastor.  It 
was  really  refreshing  to  see  a  Northern  face  in  their  temporary 
Southern  home,  and  to  meet  one  congenial  s-pirit,  who  could  enter  into 
all  their  feelings,  and  with  whom  they  could  converse  freely  on  the 
subject  of  slavery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thouipson,  too,  were  glad  to  receive 
and  entertain  the  pa.stor  of  their  relatives,  and  finding  him  an 
educated  gentleman  of  extensive  and  varied  information,  he  was  a 
most  welcome  guest. 

He  frequently  rode  with  Mr.  T;  over  his  farm  and  saw  his 
negroes  at  their  work.  He  sjw  their  toil  and  sweat,  and  heard  their 
cheerful  songs  and  merry  laughter.  He  asked  a  great  number 
of  questions  as  to  their  dispositions,  conteDtmeut.  subordination, 
morals,  kc. 

Turning  to  Mr.  Thomp.son,  one  day,  as  they  rode  along,  he  said, 
"  I  am  surprised  to  find  a  man  of  Northern  birth  and  education 
boldiagnien,  women  alid  children  in  involuntary  servitude."  "Why?" 
said  Mr.  T.  "  Becau.se  Solomon  said,  '  train  up  a  child  in  the  way 
he  should  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart  from  it,'  and  I 
know  you  were  trained  differently  from  your  present  practice." 
"True,"  said  Mr.  T., '*  but  Solomon  did  not  say,  train  up  a  child 
in  the  way  he  should  not  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart 
from  it.  If  he  is  trained  rightly  he  will  not  depart  from  it,  but  if 
wrongly,  he  may  be  led  by  a  kind  Providence  to  discover  bis  error 
and  abandon  it.  My  early  education  on  the  subject  of  slavery  was 
oil  wrong.  I  have  by  the  goodness  of  an  all-wi«e  Providence  been 
led  to  discover  and  abandon  the  error." 

"  You  do  not  pretend  to  defend  slavery  as  right,  do  you  ?" 

«'  If  I  did  not,  I  should  abandon  it  before  another  day." 

"  Weil,  I  suppose  I  need  not  be  surprised,  for  there  is  no  telling 
what  an  influence  prejudice,  or  cupidity,  may  exert  in  forming  the 
conclusions  of  the  human  mind." 

"  Nor  early  education  and  fanaticism,"  said  Mr.  T.  They  had 
both  arrived  at  the  gate,  and  alighting  from  their  horses,  the  cod- 
versation  ceased. 

After  a  moment's  absende  in  his  room,  Mr.  Pratt  took  hhi  Mat  in 
D 


26  NELLIE    XORTOW^. 

the  parlor.  Nellie  was  just  finishing  a  vorj  difficult  piece,  of  music 
on  the  pi.'iiKt,  and  was  soon  seated  near  her  pa.'«tor. 

"  You  have  had  a  pleasant  ride  this  morniofj,  I  hope."  she  <»aid 
ts  she  drew  near  him. 

'•  The  ride  wa.s  pleasant,  but  I  have  brou}^ht  all  my  sympathy  for 
the  poor  huffering  negro  with  me,  and  find  it  is  going  to  be  a  *  thorn 
in  the  flosh,'  a  '  body  of  death,'  clingiug  to  me.  It  will  greatly  mar, 
if  not  entirely  destroy,  the  pleasure  of  my  visit  South." 

'*  Do  you  think  the  negroes  here  are  as  unhappy  as  you  expected  to 
find  them,  before  you  came?"  said  Nellie. 

"  They  do  not  seem  to  be  so,  but  it  may  be  they  are  too  well 
trained  to  show  their  discontent  before  strangers.  They  teem  as 
cheerful  as  laborers  in  wheat  harvest.  They  talk,  and  laugh,  and 
sing,  and  pat,  and  dance,  and  appear  not  to  fcol  their  bondage,  but 
this  cannot  be  possible.  The  bare  idea  that  they  are  slaves  fills  me 
with  horror." 

"  But  da  you  think  them  capable  of  doing  as  well  for  theni«elveH, 
if  they  were  free,  as  they  are  now  doing  in.  a  state  of  slavery  ''.  To 
test  the  matter,  how  do  they  compare,  in  prosperity  and  happiness, 
with  the  free  negroes  in  New  England  ?" 

'•  Very  favorably,  I  must  confo;-3.  No  doubt  but  they  are  better 
fed  and  clothed,  and  are  less  liable  to  temptation  and  vicious  habits. 
But  they  are  slaves  and  have  uo  rights.  The  system  of  bondage  has 
taken  away  from  them  the  heritage  bequeathed  to  them  by  their 
Creator.  All  men  are  born  free  and  equal,  and  no  one  should  dare 
infringe  upon  the  universal  rights  of  man." 

••  But,"  said  Nellie,  "  as  you  .seex  to  think  the  infringement  of 
these  rights  '  feeds  and  clothes  '  them  better  than  freedom  does,  and 
that  '  they  are  less  liable  to  temptation  and  vicious  habits' — in  a 
word,  makes  their  condition  better  than  it  otherwise  could  be,  is  it 
not  a  mercy,  rather  than  an-  injustice,  to  hold  them  in  such  servi- 
tude/" 

"What  do  you  mean,  Nellie'/  Ila."  yuur  short  stay  already 
poisoned  your  mind  with  abominable  pro-slavery  sentiments  '(  You 
talk  like  a  Southern  slaveholder." 

"  0,  no,"  said  Nellie,  "these  were  impressions  made  upon  my 
mind  by  observing  uncle's  servants,  and  I  wanted  an  answer  to  the 
argument.  I  have  observed  them  in  their  domestic  duties,  in  their 
festivals,  in  their  sports  and  past  times,  and  in  their  religious 
devotions,  and  1  am  sure  I  never  saw  a  laboring  class  at  the  North 
•0  happy,  80  uniformly  cheerful,  or  more  '  fervent  in    spirit,  serving 


• 


NELLIE  NORTON.  27 

tbe  Lord,'  and  the  Bugsrestion  has  occurred  to  me,  that  after  all, 
bondage  may  be  the  condition  assigned  them  by  Providence." 

"  You  astonish  me,  Nellie  !  God  is  a  holy,  just  and  merciful 
being,  and  could  never,  eitbcr  by  His  word  or  providence,  sanction 
80  unholy  a  thing  as  slavery.  The  Bible  teaches  no  such  thing,  and 
if  it  did — well  I  think  I  should  have  to  appeal  to  the  higher  law  of 
conscience." 

Xellie  looked  thoughtfully  at  him  for  a  moment,  and  then  asked 
with  much  seriousness,  "  Mr.  Pratt,  is  the  authority  of  conscience 
superior  to  the  authority  of  the  Bible  ?" 

"That  is  a  theologico-metaphysical  question,  the  discussion  of 
which  we  will  defer  to  another  time,"  was  Mr.  P.'s  reply. 

Nellie  manifested  no  further  surprise  at  this  ignoring  of  the  word 
of  God  as  supreme  authority  on  all  moral  subjects.  She  had  heard 
it  often  before,  and  had  been  pretty  well  educated  in  the  same  views ; 
but  the  struggles  she  had  recently  experienced  had  made  too  deep 
an  impression  on  her  mind  to  be  soon  forgotten.  She  thought  it 
best  to  give  a  slight  turn  to  the  conversation,  and  so  remarked, 
*'  Uncle  and  I  have  agreed  to  investigate  the  subject  of  slavery 
from  the  Bible  ;  we  have  had  one  evening's  conversation,  and  I  must 
confess  some  surprise  at  the  plausibility  of  his  arguments.  The 
truth  is,  I  am  unable  to  meet  the  question  upon  scriptural  grounds, 
though  I  am  certainly  not  .so  well  versed  in  the  Bible  as  I  ought  to 
be.  As  you  are  to  spend  several  days  with  us,  by  your  permission, 
I  will  turn  over  my  part  of  the  discussion  to  you.  I  am  sure  you 
are  a  whole  hearted  abolitionist,  and  certainly  will  be  an  overmatch 
for  my  pro-slavery  uncle.  Will  you  thus  relieve  me,  and  permit  me 
to  sit  by  as  an  interested  listener  V 

"  Certainly,  if  your  uncle  has  no  objection.  And  who  knows  but 
I  may  be  sent  here  by  Providence  to  convince  a  christian  slave  holder 
of  his  error  ;  and  that  he,  by  liberating  his  slaves  may  rebuke  this 
"  sum  of  villainies,"  and  set  his  neighbors  a  worthy  example.  If  he 
is  not  lost  to  all  reason,  I  shall  be  able  to  convince  him,  1  am  sure. 
Argument,  sarcasm  and  ridicule,  have  great  power.  Then  he  can 
not  stand  before  such  men  as  Wayland,  and  against  the  moral 
rebuke  of  the  civilized  world.  I  arc  ready  at  once,  to  enter  upon 
the  discussion." 

Mr.  Thompson  entered  just  as  the  clergyman  ceased    speaking. 

Nellie  lost  no  time  in  introducing  tbe  subject.  "  Well,  uncle,  I 
have  engaged  Mr.  Pratt  as  my  representative  in  our  Bible  discus- 
aioas  on  slavery.     He  has  consented  to  take  my  place,  if  you  have 


28  NELLIE    NORTOX. 

no  objection,  and  as  you  are  8o  confident  <»f  jour  ftliility  j-o  justifv 
clirery  from  the  Bible,  I  feel  sure  you  will  consont  to  the  arrange- 
ment. Your  Southern  chivalry  will  naturally  "Icsirc  a  t'cirnian 
worthy  of  your  Bteel." 

"  Thank  you,  Nellie,  I  am  plonscd  with  the  arrangcincnt.  1 
shall  have  a  double  advantape  in  Mr.  Pratt.  A  jqholar  fully  abK 
to  understand  the  meaning  of  the  Divine  word,  and  a  christian  with 
moral  honesty  enough  always  to  concede  a  point  when  fairly  estab- 
lished from  the  infallible  source  of  truth.  I  can  only  express  sur- 
prise that  a  student  of  the  Bible  should  not  already  have  so  f-^r 
pati."5fied  himself  on  the  {subject  as  to  admit  without  further  investi- 
gation, that  slavery  is  a  divine  institution,  that  it  is  of  God." 

"  So  far  from  this,  sir."  said  Mr.  Pratt,  "  I  believe  it  is  the  insti. 
tution  of  Satan,  and  only  permitted  to  exist  for  a  short  time,  like 
other  sins  which  are  forbidden,  as  a  scourge  to  out  race,  ns  a  trial 
to  us,  to  prove  man,  and  see  what  are  the  depths  of  depruvify  which 
exist  in  his  heart.  I  am  only  surpilsed  to  see  a  man  of  your  intel- 
ligence and  professed  piety,  holding  slaves.  To  sec  you  guilty  of 
such  injustice  to  your  fellow  beings  a.s  to  hold  them  in  bondage, 
forzing  chains  and  riveting  them  upon  thon\.  and  crushing  out  their 
manhood  with  the  *•  weight  of  servitude.  ' 

"  Do  you  believe,"   said  Mr.  T.,  "  that  the  negro  is  less  a  man  in 
his  southern  bondage,  than  he  is  in  his  African   id«flatiy  and  super- 
stition ?     Do  you  believe  his  contact  with  the  social  and   religious 
elements    of    Fouthern    society,    though    restricted    by  slavery,  has 
degraded  him  beneath  the  Hushman,  the  lluttentot,  the  C'winibal,  or 
even  below  the  somewhat  more  elevated  t^entral  Africans,  who  bow 
down  daily  to  their   household  gods,  and  who  in  their  superstition, 
lay  on  the  funeral   pile,   the  surviving  widow  to  be  consumed  with 
the  body  of  her  deceased  husband  ?     Do  you  think  the  enlightened 
and  christian  slave,   is  less   happy,  less   contented,   Jess  elevated  in 
the  hcale  of  moral  existence,  than  his  ancestors  were  in   the  dark 
laud  of   Ham  ?     Your    fanuliarify  with  cthmology,   has   lonvr  since 
taught  you  that  southern  slaves  are  the  happiest  of  all  their  race, 
and  approximate  more  nearly  the  great  object  for  which  God  ba."* 
created    man.      This   being    undeniably    true,    then    where    is    the 
injustice    of  which    you    speak  ?     Is  it    doing   a  man  injustice   to 
enlighten  his  ignorance,  to  teach  him  how  to  enjoy  the  social  rela- 
tions of  life,  to  deliver  him  nut  of  barbarism  and  introduce  him  into 
civilized  life,  to  break  the  fetters   of  idolatry  and  superstition,  and 
teach  him  the  knowledge  of  the  true  God,  to  take  his  being  and  fill 


•    # 

NELLIK    XOKTON*.  29 

it  with  all  those  holier  purposes,  desires  and  aspirations,  which  have 
been  so  long  exiled  by  the  reigning  demon  of  darkness  ?  If  this 
be  injustice,  then  sir,  do  wo  plead  guilty  to  the  charge,  not 
otherwise." 

"  Injustice  is  done  a  man,"  said  Mr.  Pratt,  ''  when  his  natural  or 
acquired  rights  are  taken  from  him,  no  matter  what  these  rights  are, 
or  whether  he  uses  them  or  abuses  them  ;  if  he  should  misuse  them, 
the  wrong  is  to  himself." 

'*  I  suppose  tlien,"  said  Mr.  Thompson,  •'  if  a  man  purchase  a  gun 
to  shoot  himself,  and  T  knowing  that  fact,  take  it  away,  I  do  him  an 
act  of  injustice,  by  taking  away  from  him  the  power  to  comniir 
.suicide.  If  a  man  threatens  the  life  of  another,  the  ofl5rer  who 
arrests  and  imprisons  him,  thereby  preventing  murder,  does  in- 
justice by  stQpping  the  abuse  of  physical  liberty;  or  if  a  woman, 
in  a  violent  passion  is  about  to  beat  her  child  to  death,  and  I  seize 
hold  of  her,  and  by  constraint  disposses.'i  her  of  the  freedom  to  kill 
'her  child,  I  do  her  injustice.  Or  to  put  a  very  plain  case,  when  a 
man  becomes  so  depraved  that  he  is  not  restrained  from  the  violation 
of  law,  and  a  court  imprisons  him  as  a  felon,  it  does  him  injustice. 
Or  if  an.  individual  refuses  to  pay  his  just  debts,  and  his  creditors  by 
due  process  of  law,  imprison  him,  they  do  him  an  act  of  legal 
injustice.  Sir,  is  this  your  sense  of  justice)'  You  cannot  deny 
that  these  are  legitimate  deductions  from  your  premises." 

*' O,  that  is  not  what  he  meant,  uncle,"  said  Nellie,  rather  im- 
patiently, as  she  saw  her  representative  had  committed  himself  ton 
far,  and  that  her  uncle  was  making  him  appear  the  advocate  of  a 
most  licentious  and  wicked  freedom,  and  takinc:  from  society  all 
lawful  means  of  self-protection. 

''  I  mean,  sir,  that  God  has  made  '  all  men  free  and  equal,'  and 
any  infringement  of  this  freedom  and  equality,  except  for  the  main, 
tenance  of  law  and  order,  is  an  act  of  injustice,  and  one  at  which  n 
pious  man  should  shudder." 

"  You  take  for  granted  the  very  point  in  issue,  and  quote  from  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  instead  of  the  Bible.  God  did  not 
make  all  men  free  and  equal.  He  has  enslaved  some  bv  placing 
them  in  bondage  to  others.  Ham  manifested  the  wicked  traita 
which  aftcrw.nrd.s  developed  themselves  in  hi.s  Jc'cendants.  and  on 
this  account  Heaven  forged  the  chains  of  slavery  and  placed  them 
upon  him,  using  his  father,  Noah,  as  His  agent.  Hear  Him  : 
'Cursed  be  (\:nann,  a  servatit  of  S9rvants  shall  he  be  to  his  brethren. 
And  he  said,  blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  Shem.  find  Canaan  shall  be 


80  NELLIE   NOKTON. 

his  servant.  God  shall  enlarge  Japhct  and  he  shall  dwell  in  th^ 
tents  of  Shem,  and  Canaan  shall  be  his  servant  '  Thus  when 
there  was  but  one  family  on  earth,  a  portion  of  it  was  doomed  'x) 
servitude.  A  '  servant  of  servant.^,'  the  menial,  the  . "slave  of  servant-'. 
Now,  was  this  slavery?  If  so,  wa.s  it  of  ^atan  or  nf  God  ?  If  of 
God,  has  he  made  all  men  free  aud  equal !  Were  Ham  and  Japhet 
made  equal,  when  one  tras  placed  over  the  other  ?  Were  both  made 
ficc  when  one  was  put  under  slavery  to  the  other  ?  There  is  a  i^reat 
deal  of  prating  nonsense  in  the  world  claiming  very  high  and 
respectable  paternity." 

"But  let  us  take  a  step  further,  and  see  how  the  Divine  institution 
vf  davcry  was  afterwards  regulated  under  *  father  Abraham, '  who 
owned  perhaps  a  thous.and  slaves.  When  the  covenant  of  circuui- 
cibion  was  instituted,  God  told  him,  '  He  that  is  born  jn  thy  house, 
and  he  that  is  bou;;ht  with  thy  money,  must  needs  be  circumcised.  * 
Here  was  a  recognition  and  a  ceremonial  regulation  of  the  institu- 
ticn.  One  of  the  servants  of  this  'father  of  the  faithful,'  afterwards 
recognized  slavery  as  the  ordination  of  God,  although  himself  being 
in  bondage  under  the  divine  decree.  He  said,  '  Aud  the  Lord  hath 
blessed  my  master  jj^reatly,  he  is  become  great ;  aud  He  hath  given 
him  flocks  and  herds,  and  silver  and  gold,  and  man  servants  and 
maid  servanta. '  They  were  not  hired  servants,  for  they  were  born 
in  his  house  and  bought  with  his  money,  just  as  Southcrueis  hold 
slaves.  This  honored  slave  of  Abraham  did  not  look  upon  the  insti- 
tution which  held  him  in  bondage  as  an  evil,  but  a  blessing,  '  the 
Lord  hath  blessed  my  Master  greatly.  '  But  again  look  at  the  light 
in  which  the  law  recognired  it.  In  Exodus  it  is  paid,  '  If  a  mau 
buiite  his  servant  or  his  maid  with  a  rod,  and  he  die  under  his  hand, 
be  shall  be  surely  punished  ;  notwithstanding  if  he  continue  a  day 
or  two,  \\\t  shall  not  be  punished,  for  /jf  «'.s  hi>.  money.  '  NbW  if  such 
a  law  as  thi.s  were  found  upon  a  Southern  8t;xtute  book,  the  world 
would  bo  filled  with  holy  horror,  at  its  inhumanity ;  yet  such  is  the 
enactiHent  of  Him  who  doeth  all  things  well.  Here  too  is  a  recogni- 
tion by  the  divine  law,  of  the  pro;  erty  of  one  man  in  another,  one 
man  is  thfc  tnomy,  the  chattel  of  another.  Again  the  sickly  sensi- 
bilities of  erring  man,  are  shocked  at  the  revealed  will  of  the  King 
of  all  the  earth.  I'zza  feared  to  trust  the  tottering  ark  to  the  Lord, 
and  put  forth  his  hand  to  save  it,  but  his  presumption  was  punished 
by  instant  death.  Let  us  take  timely  warning.  What  God  gives  wc 
will  receive,  what  he  commands,  we  will  obey,  what  he  withholds  we 
will  not  covet.  W<  are  always  sale  under  the  guidance  of  unerring 
wisdom.    '  It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth  good  unto  him.'  " 


NELLIE   NORTON.  81 

At  this  stage  of  the  argument,  the  parties  were  interrupted  by  a 
suTuraons  to  dinner.  Nellie  and  the  parson  both  felt  relieved  at  the 
prospect  of  having  time  for  reflection  before  being  compelled  to 
ref)ly  to  the  proofs  presented  by  Mr.  T. 

Dinner  being  over,  the  parties  retired  to  their  several  apartments, 
and,  at  five  o'clock,  all  re-assembled  in  the  parlor,  feeling  the  more 
cheerful  for  having  enjoyed  a  refreshing  nap. 

"  Mr  Thompson,''  said  Mr.  Pratt,  "  I  discover  you  are  a  strict 
constructionist.  I  do  not  adhere  so  much  to  the  letter,  as  to  the 
spirit  of  the  Bible.  The  letter  killeth,  but  the  spirit  maketh  alive. 
I  do  not  attach  so  much  importance  to  detached  portions  of  revela- 
tion, as  I  do  to  the  character  and  attributes  of  its  Great  Author. 
He  is  too  holy  to  authorise  sin  ;  too  merciful  to  place  one  man  in  the 
power  of  another ;  too  just  to  discriminate  so  widely  between  the 
privileges  he  confers  upon  his  intelligent  creatures.  He  will  never 
give  to  one  people  the  right  to  place  the  gallinjr  yoke  of  slavery  upon 
the  necks  of  another.  He  will  never  place  one  tribe  or  nation  under 
tlie  feet  of  another  to  be  trod  upon.  He  will  never  appoint  an  insti- 
tution, which  crushes  out  the  manhood,  and  effaces  the  human 
feelings  of  any  race,  reducing  them  to  the  level  of  beasts.  This  is 
not  in  accordance  with  the  Divine  character.  I  honor  and  reverence 
the  Divine  name  too  much  to  admit  any  such  thing.  '  Justice  and 
judgment  are  the  habitation  of  his  throne,'  but  there  is  neither 
justice  nor  mercy  in  slavery." 

"  You  decide  what  the  Bible  otight  to  teach,"  said  Mr.  T..  "  bv 
your  knowledge  of  the  character  of  Deity,  and  not  by  what  He  has 
really  said.  Pray,  from  what  source  do  you  derive  your  knowledge 
of  Him,  if  not  from  the  Bible,  and  how  do  you  know  anything  of 
his  character  from  this  source,  only  as  you  believe  what  it  says  ? 
Then  you  admit,  that  the  Bible  as  a  whole  is  true  ;  and  if  so,  its 
detached  portions  are  also  true.  You  must  either  admit  that  the 
quotations  made  are  interpolations,  or  tl^  are  the  words  of  God. 
If  the  former,  then  the  '  ojius  probini dWrcsts  upon  you,  and  I  am 
ready  to  hear  your  proof.  If  they  be  the  words  of  God,  you  must 
admit  that  slavery  is  taught  in  the  Bible,  and  instituted  in  Heaven. 
In  your  sermons  at  home,  you  urge  upon  your  congregation  the 
necessity  of  repentance,  and  to  prove  its  importance  you  quote 
detached  portions  of  the  word  of  God,  and  so  of  every  other  truth, 
however  important,  which  is  taught  in  the  Bible.  I  have  heard  min- 
isters say,  (and  you  may  have  done  the  same.)  that  to  aseertain  with 
certainty  the  meaning  of  any  given  text  in  the  Scriptures,  it  is  best 


33  .\ELL1K   -NOiJTO:*. 

to  consult  all  the  purallel  pasi^ages.  This  fact  attests  the  truth  well 
known  and  ackiiowhd^cd  b}-  all  Bible  fcludcnb*.  that  the  Scriptures 
do  not  exhaust  any  subject  iu  any  one  given  verse,  chaj)tcr  or  book. 
It  is  one  r.f  the  evidences  of  the  inspiration  of  the  Bibid,  that  a 
most  beautiful  and  strikiug  harmony  is  maintained  by  the  writers  of 
the  various  books  of  the  Bible,  when  treating  of  the  s:nuo  subject 
But  with  this  fact,  you  are  uiorc  familiar  than  I,  us  you  are  profcb 
sionally  a  theologian.  Your  proposition  to  judge  what  God  will 
leich  by  his  character,  and  not  by  his  word,  reminds  uie  of  a  little 
private  discus.sion  to  which  I  once  listened.  It  was  bflween  a 
minister  and  an  infidel.  The  former  was  affectionately  urging  upon 
the  latter  the  iinportunce  of  personal  reli;;ion,  as  necessary  to  his 
happiness  here  and  hercjifter,  and  quoted  the  Scripture,  'Godliness 
is  profitable  unto  all  things,  having  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is, 
and  of  that  which  is  to  cume,'  and  then  added,  '  He  that  hath  the 
Sun  hath  life,  but  he  that  hath  nut  the  Son  of  God,  h.ilh  not  life.' 
The  iufidcl  replied  :  '  I  do  not  wish  to  hear  anyihing  from  the 
Bible.  God  has  given  me  reason,  and  my  reason  tells  mo  that  God 
is  too  great  and  good  a  Being  to  doom  a  soul  to  perdition  just 
because  he  refuses  to  bulievo  on  his  Son.'  " 

"  Your  prcuiises  lead  to  the  iu&del's  conclusion,  and  I  must 
confesjj  profound  astonishment  at  its  enunciation  by  a  religious 
teacher.  If  the  Book  of  God  is  taken  at  all.  it  must  all  be  takfcn  ; 
fur  'all  Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  and  is  profitable  for 
doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  instructions  in  rightcousnc-^s.' 
Perniit  me  to  suggest,  that  the  pajjsages  referred  to,  tnuy  havo  been 
given  for  the  'corrcctioti '  of  the  errors  of  abolitionists,  and  for  their 
'  instruction  in  righteousness, '  since  their  tendency  to  depart  from 
truili  certainly  needs  a  counteracting  influence. 

'•  Peter,  speaking  of  the  olden  time,  eeenis  to  have  apprehended  u 
disbelief  lu  tho.se,  or  some  other  portions  ol"  the  old  Scripture,  and, 
tbcretorc,  under  the  direction  of  inspiration,  says  :  *  For  the 
prophecy  came  not  iu^ld  time  by  the  will  of  man :  but  holy 
men  of  God  spake  as  they  were  moved  by  the  lloly  Ghost.'  You 
will  have,  my  dear  sir,  to  admit  slavery,  or  reject  the  Bible — which 
l^oro  of  the  dilemma  will  you  take  ?" 

'•  Neither,  sir,"  wiid  the  minister,  "  I  will  reject  slavery  and  take 
the  Bible.  I  will,  however,  admit,  for  the  sake  of  argument,  that  in 
those  dark  age»,  (rod  permitted  it  on  account  of  the  hardness  of  the 
people's  hearts,  as  he  did  divorces  and  other  wrongs,  which  were  to 
be  of  terapiorary  duration,  and   which  were  to  give  way  before  tho 


NELLIE   KOBTON.  38 

progressive  civilization  of  the  world,  as  the  diirkness  is  dispersed 
before  the  sun,  and  heathenism  befcre  the  gospel  of  Christ." 

Nellie  did  not  like  the  answer  of  her  representative ;  she  could 
not  exactly  see  how  it  was,  "for  the  sake  of  argument,"  to  make 
any  such  admission.  If  it  were  true,  he  ought  to  have  said  so ;  if 
not,  he  should  have  withheld  the  admission.  As  to  slavery  bein'^ 
only  temporary,  the  S«ripture  on  that  point,  quoted  by  her  uncle, 
had  given  her  no  little  trouble.  wShe  did  not  see  how  her  pastor,  a 
conscientious  mhn,  could  withhold  his  assent  from  the  truths  proven; 
but  if  he  admitted  them,  then  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  escape 
the  next  argument,  which  she  foresaw  her  uncle  would  adduce.  ^ 

"  Slavery,  "  said  Mr.  T.,  "  was  not  only  permitted,  but  absolutely 
decree^  as  I  have  abundantly  shown  from  Scripture.  You  admit, 
'  for  the  sake  of  argument, '  not  for  truth's  sake,  that  it  was  per- 
mitted. I  must  confess,  sir,  with  your  Dr.  Wayland,  that  '  I  wonder 
that  any  one  should  have  had  the  hardihood  to  deny  so  plain  a 
matter  of  record.  I  should  almost  as  soon  deny  the  delivery  of  the 
Ten  Commandments  to  Moses.'  I  have  a  single  quotation  which  I 
made  to  my  niece  a  few  days  ago.  to  prove  that  it  was  not  the 
Divine  purpose  that  slavery  'was  to  be  of  temporary  duration,  and  to 
give  way  before  the  progressive  civilization  of  the  world, '  but  that 
it  was  to  be  a  perpetual  institution,  '  forever.  *  I  refer  to  Leviticus 
XXV  :  44-46.     Nellie,  will  you  please  read  the  paragraph.  "  * 

"  Before  she  reads, "  said  Mr.  Pratt,  "  I  desire  to  say,  that  when 
I  said  '  I  admit  for  the  .sake  of  the  argument, '  I  did  not  intend  to 
be  understood  as  denying  that  the  Scripture,s  did  authorize  slavery, 
but  that  1  did  not  admit  all  your  conclusions.  I  do  not  think  it 
either  wise  or  honest  to  deny  a  fact  which  is  clearly  proven." 

''  Tlren  you  admit  slavery  is  of  Divine  origin  ?"  said  Mr.  Thomp- 
son.     ^ 

"  Well,  yes,  I  cannot  truthfully  deny  it.  and  I  intend  to  meet  the 
question  fairly,  "  said  Mr.  I'ratt. 

Nellie  smiled  approvingly,  as  she.  opened  the  Bible,  and  read  : 
•'  Both  thy  bondmen  and  thy  bondmaids,  which  thou  shalt  have, 
shall  be  of  the  heathen  that  ar«  round  about  you,  of  them  shall  ye 
buy  bondmen  and  bondmaids.  Moreover  of  the  children  of  the 
strangers  that  sbjourn  among  you,  of  them  shall  ye  buy,  and  of 
their  families  that  arc  araoAg  you,  which  they  begat  in  your  land  : 
and  they  shall  be  your  po.ssession.  And  ye  shall  take  them  as  an 
inheritance  for  your  children  after  you,  to  inherit  them  for  a  poMM- 
won.     They  shall  be  jK»ur  bondmen  forever." 


84  NELLli:    NORTON. 

"  Now,"  Mid  Mr.  Thompson,  '*  let  us  lo«ik  at  thia  Scripture  an 
Christian  men,  in  scarcli   of  J)iviDc  truth.     1st.  Hero  is  slavery. 

•  they  hhall  be  your  bondmen  and  bondmaids.'  They  were  to  be 
held  in  pcrvitude,  *  oblijiing  them  to  labor  for  the  benefit  of  others, 
without  their  contract  or  consent.'  2d.  Here  is  traffic  in  human 
flcph,  in  living  men,  human  beings;  *  of  them  shall  ye  buy  bondmen 
and  bondmaids.'  I  am  certain  that  the  word  ^  sluiW  in  thi.s  connec- 
tion, nijoius  it  as  a  duty  upon  the  Israelites  to  cn.»lave.  these 
heathens.  3d  Here  is  vested  proj)erty  in  humtJ  beings:  'they 
shall  be  your  possession.'  4th.  They  were  to  be  beqiieathed  by 
paients  to  thoir  children,  ju.'^t  as  any  other  article  of  property  :  '  Ye 
shall  take  them  as  an  inheritance  for  your  children  '  J^astly,  its 
perpetuity.  This  slavery  was  not" to  be  limited  by  the  interv^iun  of 
the  year  of  Jubilee,  orrclea.se,  but  it  was  to   endure  •vvitliont  end  : 

*  they  shall  be  your  bondmen  forever.  * 

'*  As  you  have  (juoted  Dr.  Wayland,"  ^aid  the  Klder,  '•  my  ri-ply 
shall  be  that  which  he  made  to  your  Dr.  Fuller  on  this  very  subject : 
'  I  believe  slavery,  then,  as  now,  to  have  been  wrong,  a  violation  of 
our  obligations  to  man,  and  at  variance  with  the  moral  laws  of  God. 
But  1  believe  that  God  did  not  see  fit  to  reveal  Hi.s  will  on  this 
subject,  nor  indeed  on  many  others,  to  the  ancient  Hebrews.  He 
made  khown  to  them  just  so  much  of  His  moral  law  as  He  chose, 
and  the  law  on  this  subject  belonged  to  the  part  which  he  did  not 
choose  to  make  knuwn.  Hence,  although  thoy  did.  what  in  itself 
waa  If roH/7,  yet  Gt»<l  n'*'  havin','  mailc  kiinwn  in  ilicm  His  will,  they 
were  not  guilty.' 

"You  have  adiiiitlt.d,'  said  .Mr.  T.,  •  tliat  ^lavory  was  appointed 
by  God,  yet  you  contend  that  it  was  '•  wrong,  a  violation  of  our 
obligations  to  man,  and  at  variance  with  the  moral  law  of*  God," 
but  that  God  concoaled  the  evil  of  it  frouj  the  ancient  Hebrews. 
Vou  make  (jod  commit  a  wrong  by  appointing  a  wicked  institution, 
aod  then,  whether  from  benevolent  motives,  to  screen  from  punish- 
ment, those  upon  whom  the  wrong  was  entailed,  or  to  prevent  censure 
resting  upon  the  Diviue  purity,  you  do  not  say.  He  conceals  the 
wrong  from  His  chosen  people.  I  will  not  presume,  sir,  that  either 
you  or  Dr.  Wayland  intend  all  your  language  expresses ;  it  would  be 
too  presumptuous,  too  impious;  it  would  be  a  worm  arraigning  the 
holy  and  just  One,  and  rejecting  as  wrong,  what  He  did,  simply 
because  it  did  not  agree  with  his  own  standard  of  right.  Dr. 
Wayland  has  long  enjoyed  an  enviable  reputation  as  a  learned  and 
pious  nian,  but  when  writing  on   the  subject   of  slavery,  he  uses 


NELLIE   NORTON.  85 

Bome  language  bordering^ii  blasphemy,  e.  g. :  "  If  the  religion  of 
Christ  allows  us  to  take  such  license  from  such  precepts  as  these, 
thft  New  Testament  would  be  the  greateet  cuwje  that  ever  wi.s 
•  inflicted  on  our  race.''  Presumptuous  map,!„to  bring  a  railing 
accusation  against  His  maker.  I  would  raijier  adopt  the  saying 
originated  by  the  Bishop  of  Norwich,  that  the  Scriptures  have  an 
"  expansion  of  sense  and  meaning,"  or  that  by  the  Bishop  of  London, 
that  they  have  a  "  prudent  and  accommodating  elasticity."  The 
latter,  to  say  the  least,  are  more  polite  and  courteous  attacks  upon 
the  Divine  wisddm  and  goodness.  If  the  view  of  Dr.  Wayland, 
which  you  have  endorsed,  be  correct,  it  amounts  to  this  :  "  The 
Almighty  has  said  to  His  people,  you  may  commit  "  a  sin  of  appall- 
ing magnitude;"  jou  may  perpetrate  *' as  great  an  evil  as  can  be 
conceived;  "  you  may  persist  in  a  practice  which  consists  in  "  out- 
raging the  rights  "  of  your  fellow  beings,  and  in  ''  crushing  their 
intellectual  and  moral  nature."  You  may  perpetuate  a  ''wrong;" 
you  may  violate  your  "obligations  to  man;"  you  may  violate  the 
"moral  laws  of  God."  You  may  enslave  those  who  have  an  inhe- 
rent, natural  and  inalienable  right  to  freedom,  reducing  them  to 
bondmen  and  bondwomen.  You  may  take  away  their  manhood,  and 
reduce  them  to  a  level  with  brutes.  And  although  I  know  it  is 
wrong,  I  will  not  hold  you  guilty,  becatise  I  have  not  chosen  to 
reveal  my  will  on  this  subject.  Now,  sir,  a  cause  which  must  be 
sustained  by  a  resort  to  sucTi  subterfuges  must  be  "pronounced- 
desperate  indeed,  and  unspeakably  forlorn."  Let  us  once  permit 
our.selves  to  call  in  question  the  perfections  of  Deity,  or  the  plenary 
inspiration  of  His  word,  to  doubt  His  infallible  veracity,  or  .to  form 
our  opinions  on  moral  subjects  from  princii)les  independent  of  th^ 
Divine  word,  and  we  have  no  centripetal  force  attracting  us  to  Truth, 
but  we  will  be  led  astray  by  every  ignis  fatuus  in  the  religious, 
scientific  or  social  world.  Once  unsettle  the  public  confidence  in  the 
fundamental  truths  of  the  Bible,  in  its  reliability  and  safety  as  a 
standard,  and  you  open  the  door  to  a  flood  of  evils  which  no  man 
can  number,  and  the  wicked  consequences  of  which  the  most  astute 
cannot  anticipate. 

"  But  to^dvert  once  more  to  your  hypothesis,  you  say  slavery  is  at 
variance  with  our  obligations  to  man,  and  a  violation  of  the  mora] 
law  of  God.  My  reply  is  simply  this:  1.  God  has  ordained 
slavery  ;  this  has  been  proven  by  the  law  and  the  testimony,  and  you 
have  admitted  it.  2.  God  has  never  ordained  an  institution  in 
obedience  to  which  man  jriolatea   Hii  aoral   law,  or  infringes  tb« 


36  NtLLU.    NOKTON. 

riehtj"  of  hi."  fcllow-boinps.  But  He  (li<^or<iain  nlavery,  therefore 
Blavcrv  (Ifx-s  neither  the  one  nor  tho  other  To  "Ion}'  this,  is  to 
charpe  God  with  Worse  tKan  folly. 

"To  make  as.suraji|H»  dmibly  Fure,  we  will  apain  rcfor  to  the 
Divine  testimony  on  ^is  subject.  You  will  admit  that  both  tables 
of  the  commandments  given  to  Moses  contain  at  least  the  eleraents 
of  God's  moral  law,  and  that  they  have  not  been  abrogated,  that  they 
("till  are  and  will  be  to  the  end  of  time,  of  full  force  and  effect.  Do 
you  admit  this  ?  " 

"  Certainly  I  do,"  said  Mr.  Pratt.  "  for  while  the  ceremonial  law, 
consisting  of  types  and  sliadows,  ha.s  pa.«t  aw.iy.  because  fulOlled.  the 
moral  law  contained  in  the  Decalogue,  is  for  all  time  and.  every 
dispensation."  <      m 

"Very  true,"  said  Mr.  T.,  "add   these  commandments  regulate : 

1st,  our  duty  to  God  ;  this  is  called  the  fir.«t  Table  ;  and  2d,  our  duty 

to  man,  and  this  is  called  the   second  Table.     Now,  then,  if  slavery 

interfered  with  our  duty  to  God,  or  is  a  violation  of  His  moral- law, 

here  is  the  place  to  ascertain  that  iact.      He  is  not  silent ;  let  us  hear 

Him.     He  reco>jnizrs  slavery  in  our  duty  to  Him.     "The  seventh 

day  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  God,  in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any 

work,  thou  nor  thy  son,  nor  thy  daughter,  thy  uifin-sfrrauf  nor  thy 

maiii-K'rvant,  nor  thy  cattle,  nor  thy  stranger  that  is  in  ihy  gates  " 

Now,  if  slavery  had  been  wrong,  this  would  certainly  have  been  a 

•  fit  occa.siun  for  God  to  have   said  so.*  He  wa.s  giving  a  law  for  all 

time,    fur  every    age    of    the    world's  advancement,    and  for  every 

condition  of  its  religious  and  social  being.     If  it  had  been  offensive 

to  Him,  is  it  not  marvelous  that  He  did  not  say  "  Liberate,"  instead 

of  "  do  no  work  on  the  seventh  day."     Hut  it  was  the  labor  of  the 

seventh  day,  and  not  the  slavery  that  was  displeasing  to  Him.     "  If 

it   be  wrong,  us  you  assert,  and    if  He    instituted  it,  as  you  admit, 

then,  as  the  laws  say.  He  is  jmrtiaps  criminis,  a  pajty  to  the  crime. 

Bat  let  us  look  at  the  second  table,  which  regulates  the  relations  of 

men  to  one  another,  and  prescribes  their  pp^t"*-     "  1  hou  shalt  not 

covet  thy  neighbor's   house,  thou   shalt    not    covet  thy  neighbor's 

wife,  nor   his  man-servant  nor    his  maidservant,  nor    his   ox,  nor 

his  ass,   nor  anything   that  is   thy  neighbor's."      The*  Lord    hero 

establishes   the  exclusive   and   uninterrupted   ownership   in   slaves 

a«  much  as  in    houses   or  cattle;  the    right  in  them   is  as  much    a 

vested  one  as  in  his  wife  or  children,  the  relation  being  different. 

JJow,  is  it  not  wonderful   that  our  All-Wise  Creator  did  not  see  it 

was  "at variance  with  the  rights  of  manr."  and  take  this  opportunity 


NELLIE    NORTON.  87 

to  prohibit  it,  instead  of  putting  slaves  in  the  catalogue  with  other 
property  which  it  was  sinful  to  covet.  How  completely  He  could 
have  settled  this  question  by  saying  "  Thou  shajt  not  hold  thy 
fellow-men  in  bondage."  Why  did  Ho  not  thus  speak  ?  Aboli- 
tioni.sm  would,  and  does  say  so.  The  civilized  world  say  so.  Only 
God  and  the  South  say  otherwise.  With  profound  respect  for  the 
clerical  vocation  of  yourself  and  Dr.  Waylaud,  I  must  suggest  that 
you  are  rapidly  tending  to  that  point  of  advancement  when  you  will 
be  "  wise  above  what  is  written."  Indeed,  even  now  you  prefer  to 
judge  of  what  God  ought  to  do  and  say,  by  your  knowledge  of  His 
oharacter,  rather  than  to  let  Him  speak  for  himself,  and  accuse  Him 
of  reticence  in  matters  of  such  solemn  moment  that  duty  commands 
you  and  him  to  cry  aloud  and  spare  not.  You  have  declared  an 
eternal  war  with  heaven's  institution,  you  denounce  what  God 
permitted,  you  would  extirpate  what  He  perpetuated,  and  anath- 
matise  what  He  has  blessed. 

"  You  have  said  you  will  meet  the  question  fairly.  I  shall 
therefore,  expect  that  none  of  the  .tergiversations  which  have  so 
often  characterized  Northern  fanatics  in  their  denunciations  of 
slavery.  A  subject  that  cannot  be  established  by  a  fair,  honest  and 
manly  discussion,  does  not  deserve  an  advocate  ;  whatever  a  christian 
cannot  prove  from  the  teachings  and  spirit  of  the  Bible,  he  ou<>htto 
abandon,  and  whatever  be  finds  clearly  taught  there,  he  should  fear 
to  condemn  and  cease  to  oppose.  Like  Moses  before  the  burning 
bush,  he  should  in  humility  take  off  his  shoes,  for  he  stands  on 
holy  ground.  "  He  that  teacheth  man  knowledge,  shall  tiot  he 
know  ?     The  King  of  all  the  earth  will  do  right." 

"  Visitors  entering,  to  call  on  Mrs.  Norton  and  her  daughter,  the 
conversation  was  suspended  and  the  gentlemen  took  a  walk  into  that 
part  of  the  farm  adjacent  to  the  house.  Mr.  Pratt  was  solemn  and 
thoughtful.  His  mind  was  evidently  laboring  to  call  up  some 
almost  forgotten  argument,  to  use  in  reply  to  what  had  been  said. 
Finally  his  mental  abstraction  passed  away,  and  he  engaged  in 
agreeable  conversation,  exhibiting  his  usual  amiable  temper  and 
social  qualities. 

After  tea,  Mr.  Pratt  was  requested  to  lead  the  devotions  of  the 
evening,  and  being  furnished  with  a  Riblc,  Mr.  T.  requested  the 
servants  to  sing  a  song  of  their  own  selecting.  Dick,  the  ostler, 
was  a  pious  old  servant,  never  absent  from  prayers,  unless  provi- 
dentially detained,  and  he  u.^ually  led  the  singing  on  such  occasions, 
and,  to  tell  the  truth,  he  was  rather  proud  of  his  musical  abilitien, 


38  NKLLIK   XOKTOX. 

aod  bad  not  quite  prudence  eDough  to  conccRl  it.  As  it  was  tbe 
firpt  time  he  had  been  called  on  fo  sin^,  since  Mr.  I'ratt's  arrival,  he 
felt  sijmc  pride  in  making  a  good  selection,  and  executing  the 
performance,  smmd'em  artcm.  So  after  rubbing  his  eyebrows  for  a 
moiuent,  and  utt-ering  some  inaudible  words  to  one  who  sat  next  to 
him,  he  sat  erect,  and  began  in  a  full,  but  soft  and  melodious  strain, 
in  which  all  the  other  servants  united  : 

*'  Amnzinp  jrrnco,  how  sweet  the  sound, 

That,  saved  a  wrc-ich  like  mo; 
I  onco  was  lost,  but  now  I  m  found, 

Was  blind,  but  now  I  see." 

When  they  came  to  the  verse-^ 

"  The  Lord  h&tli  pronii.«cd  pood  to  me, 

His  word  my  hope  secures, 
He  will  my  shield  and  portion  be 

As  long  as  life  endures." 

Pick's  eyes  were  closed,  his  bauds  clasped  acro.ss  his  bosom,  and 
the  big  tears  chasing  each  other  down  his  rough  cheek.  Mr.  Pratt's 
religious  feelings  were  deeply  touched  at  the  melody  and  pathos 
with  which  the  negroes  sung.  Nothing  was  more  evident  than  that 
they  sung  with  the  spirit,  and  with  the  understanding  also.  lu  his 
prayer,  the  elder  returned  thanks  in  a  most  fervent  and  eloquent 
manner,  that  thc-e  poor  Ethiopians  were  ever  brought  from  the 
superstition  and  idolatry  of  their  fathers,  to  know  and  worship  the 
only  living  and  true  God  ;  and  that  as  they  had  beeu  toni  away 
from  theii"  native  homes,  their  lots  had  been  ca.st  among  those  who 
"  cared  for  their  souls,"  and  thut  though  they  were  in  physical 
bondage,  they  were  spiritually  free ;  and  that  though  they  were 
servants  of  an  earthly  master,  they  were  the  children  of  God. 
With  feelings  more  than  ever  softened  towards  those  who  were 
guilty  of  the  "sum  of  all  villainies"  and  a  deep  sense  of  God'e 
goodness  to  man,  the  Elder  with  the  family  left  the  table. 


NELLIE   NORTON.  89 

• 


CHAPTER  IV. 


The  two  Matrons  opinions  of  the  discussion — Nellie  anxious/or  it  to 
proceed — Moses  an  Abolitionist,  how  proven,  how  disproven — Thr' 
Angel  and.  Hagar — Poliganiy  and  Divorce —  Dr.  Wayland — Reply 
to  his  Argument — Sumner  proven  in  a,  falsehood. 

Nellie  took  her  seat  at  the  piano  and  played  Home,  Sweet  Home, 
with  the  variations,  in  exquisite  style.  Mi*.  Pratt  then  requested  her 
to  sing  one  of  their  favorite  congregational  hymns,  which  she  did 
quite  to  the  taste  and  satisfaction  of  all  present. '  Her  mother  took 
silent  pleasure  in  the  scientific  performance  of  her  accomplished 
daughter,  while  the  uncle  and  aunt  freely  expressed  their  admiration 
for  tl>e  accomplishments  of  their  loved  relative. 

The  two  matrons,  the  mother  and  aunt  of  Nellie,  would  have  been 
pleased  to  lead  the  conversation  of  the  evening,  and  engage  the 
attention  of  those  present  on  the  various  styles  of  music,  and  the 
new  improvements  which  had  been  made  in  singing,  &c.,  since  their 
day.  They  would  have  greatly  enjoyed  a  suspension  of'the  discus- 
sion of  slavery,  and  given  themselves  up  to  a  social  converse.  Neither 
saw  any  probability  of  an  early  termination  of  the  engagement,  or  that 
either  was  open  to  conviction  by  the  other.  But  they  did  not  feel 
that  it  would  be  very  polite  in  them  to  assume  the  prominence  of 
leading  the  conversation  of  the  evening. 

Mrs.  Norton  wanted  her  brother  convinced  of  his  error,  if  he  were 
in  one.  She  had  always  heard  that  slavery  was  wrong,  and  bad  taken 
it  for  granted,  as  she  had  never  before  heard  it  denied,  but  she  had 
never  investigated  it.  Her  pastor,  she  supposed,  had  done  so,  and 
she  believed  he  had  talents  enough  to  understand  the  subject,  and 
honesty  sufficient  to  tell  the  truth,  and  she  therefore  believed  what 
he  had  always  preached  on  the  subject,  without  giving  herself  any 
further  trouble.  If  he  were  wro.ig,  the  sin  wa?  upon  him.  lie  was 
paid  to  frarh,  and  it  was  his  business  to  know  that  all  he  tauo'ht  was 
true;  her  business  was  to  listen,  receive  and  practice.  On  moral.and 
religious  subjects  he  was  employed  to  do  her  thinking,  and  it  wa« 
not  her  business  to  call  in  question  whether  it  was  correctly  done  or 
not.  '  Thus  have  many  go^d  souls  been  led  into  a  thousand  enarerfby 
the  ignorance,  prejudice  or  bigotry  of  others.  If  the  blind  lead  the 
blind,  both  shall  fall  into  the  ditch,  • 

Mrs.  Thompson  having  been  raised  to  flavery,  and  being  a  conscien- 
tious, intelligent  woman,  felt  no  doubt  whatever  that  her  husband 


40  NKLLIK   NORTON. 

would  be  able  to  vindicate  slavery  from  the  Bible,  agaiust  all  attacks 
that  Could  be  made  on  it.  She  had  gone  through  all  the  scriptural 
proofa  with  her  husband  years  before,  and  as  new  abolition  arguinenta 
were  brought  out  it  wa.s  their  custom  to  carry  them  to  the  Bible  and 
Rce  if  they  would  stand  before  its  light.  She  therefore  felt  sure 
that  her  husband  would  bo  able  to  justify  slavery  before  any  oae 
whose  eyes  wf  re  not  blinded,  and  whose  heart  was  not  hardened 
jigainst  the  holy  revelation  of  the  King  of  heaven  on  this  subject 
Butass^he  saw  no  prospect  of  convincing  Mr,  Pratt  that  slavery  was 
right,  .''he  could  conceive  of  no  real  good  that  would  come  of  the  dis- 
cussion ;  but  as  a  good  wife  .she  held  her  peace.  Nellie,  however, 
was  anxiou.s  for  the  discussion  to  continue.  She  l>egau  to  doubfc 
whether  slavery  was  a  ''sin  of  such  appalling  magnitude."  She  did 
uo^  see  from  her  stand-point  of  observation  that  it  l  crushed  the 
moral  and  intellectual  natures"  of  the  negroes  :  but  she  believed  the 
reverse  to  be  true.  1^  elevated,  it  lifted  up,  it  expanded  the  intel- 
lect and  refined  the  moral  sensibilities  of  these  children  of  Canaan. 
She  had  seen  .some  very  intelligent  and  sensible  ones  among  them, 
and  bright  Exemplars  of  the  principles  of  our  holy  religion,  and  she 
could  not  devise  how  an  evil  tree  could  bear  such  good  fruit,  how  a 
bitter  fountain  could  send  forth  such  sweet  waters,  how  an  institution 
cursed  of  God  and  man,  could  prove  .such  a  blci-sing.  Besides,  iu 
^er  struggles  of  conscience,  she  had  determined  to  commit  her  faith 
to  the  Bible  and  cleave  to  it  as  the  only  anchor  of  safely,  and  unfail- 
ing and  immutable  source  of  truth.  She  still  sympathized  with  her 
pastor,  and  could  not  yet  say  that  slavery  was  right.  Her  early  edu- 
cation had  made  such  strong  imprc.^iouson  her  mind  that  they  clung 
to  her  with  wonderful  ftnaeity,  nnd  she  entertained  an  undefined 
liopo  that  her  pastor  would  find  some  srriptural  escape  from  those 
texts  referred  to  by  her  uncle. 

"  Moses,  the  great  Jewish  law-giver,  was  an  abolitionist,"  .said 
Mr    Pratt 

All  present  were  startled  at  the  announcement,  and  looked  the 
surprise  they  felt.  He  continued  :  "  If  he  had  not  have  intended 
to  abolish  it,  lie  would  not  have  enunciated  this  law,  which  is  found 
in  Deut.  xxiii;  l.">,  10 — '  Thou  shalt  not  deliver  unto  his  master, the 
servant  that  is  escaped  from  his  master  unto  thee ;  he  shall  ^woll 
with  thee,  even  among  you  in  that  place  which  he  shall  choose,  iu 
one  of  the  gates  where  it  likoth  him  best  j  thou  shalt  not  oppress 
him.'  How  could  slarcrv  long  exist  where  escapes  were  frequent 
and  recovery  by  the  master  forbidden  by  law,  and  that  law  strictly 


NELLIE   NORTON.  41 

enforced  by  the  people  as  their  law-giver  required?  This,  sir, 
is  not  the  lanjijuage  of  a  pro-slavery  man.  You  Southerners  never 
use  it  J  you  hate  the  men  that  do.  This  is  an  anti-fugitive  law, 
enacted  for  the  gradual  and  peaceable  extirpation  of  slavery.  Here, 
also,  Is  a  Divine  justification  for  the  Northern  States,  which  have 
enacted  laws  against  the  return  of  fugitive  slaves  to  their  Southern 
masters.  Then  call  us  no  more  a  lawless  horde,  a  mobocratic  people, 
for  resisting  laws  which  contravene  the  enactments  of  heaven.  It  is 
a  violation  of  the  revealed  will  of  God,  to  return  a  fugitive  slave ; 
aud  a  constitution  and  laws  which  require  it  are  iniquitous  and  ought 
to  be  resisted.  Jt  is  demanded  by  humanity,  by  religion,  by  all  that 
is  holy,  that  they  should  be  resisted.  A  government  which  enforces 
by  law  a  violation  of  the  Divine  will,  has  forfeited  its  right  to  national 
existence.  Au  institution  which  requires  for  its  perpetuity  a  con- 
flict with  the  revealed  law  of  God,  should  never  for  one  moment  be 
tolerated  among  au  enlightened  and  civilized,  much  less  a  christian 
people.  The  institution  is  unjust,  ungodly,  diabolical,  aud  deserves 
the  perpetual  anathemas  of  every  philanthropist  upon  the  face  of  the 
earth.  Why  does  God  stay  his  yengeance  from  the  implacable  and 
unmitigated  oppressions  and  iniquities  of  the  South  ?" 

Mr.  T.  smiled  at  the  ardor  of  the  parson,  and  felt  that  he  had 
often  "heard  at  the  North  as  high  sounding  words  with  as  little  truth, 
and  had  frequently  before  listened,  unmoved,  to  as  eloquent  non- 
sense. 

Such  exhibitions  of  "  zeal  without  knowledge"  were  common 
occurrences  *'  beyond  the  line."  As  Mr.  P.  seemed  to  have  exhausted 
his  vocabulary^  Nellie  turned  to  her  uncle  to  see  if  he  was  not  over- 
whelmed with  the  argument.     He  replied  : 

"  God  has  either  enacted  slavery,  or  He  has  not.  He  either  coun- 
tenances the  institution,  or  He  does  not.  He  is  not  on  both  sides  of 
the  question,  as  you  seem  to  think.  He  has  not  said  and  unsaid, 
done  and  undone.  He  has  not  given  slavery  to  his  people  and  then 
ordered  its  abolition.  He  is  not  so  changeable,  so  fickle  as  that.  '  I 
am  God,  and  1  change  not.' 

'♦  Let  us,  however,  consider  this  celebrated  text,  upon  which  you 
base  your  triumphant  vindication  of  the  fanaticism  of  the  North. 
Of  whom  was  it  spoken,  and  to  whom  ? 

"  Evidently  of  the  heathen,  and  to  the  Israelites.  God  was  giving 
them  a  diversity  of  rules  of  conduct  for  their  govern«nent,  in  their 
social  and  national  relationi  to  the  tribes  who  were  the  original  inhab- 
itants of  Canaan.     Hence  his   instmctions  to  th«  Hebrewi  not  to 
F 


42  .  .NELLIE   XOhTO>. 

return  a  fugitive  blavc  to  his  bcatbco  master,  'i  Iiu  l&ruelit^s  cuuld 
not  hare  been  cuminandcd  to  detain  a  slave  Tcko  had  run  awu}'  from 
themselves;  to  withhold  their  own  property*  from  their  own  use. 
This  would  .seem  unreasonable ;  indeed,  it  would  be  preposterous. 
Hut  if  a  slave  ran  away  from  his  ln-uthrn  master  for  cruel  treatment, 
he  beioj^  innocent,  nnd  h.avinj;  sonirht  relujie  anion<!  the  Israelites, 
I'roni  au  unjust  and  cruel  master,  whose  ri|;ht  it  was  by  the  custom  ot 
heathen  nations  at  that  time,  to  maim  or  murder  him,  then  were 
the  humane  and  merciful  Hebrews  to  ofl'er  him  such  protection  as 
fuslui-  and  mncj/  re(|uired. 

"This  you  will  find,  upon  invchtigation,  to  be  the  opinion  of  our 
oldest  and  best  commentators  upon  this  subject.  Hut  to  say  that  the 
Hebrews  must  detain  the  property  of  the  llebrew.s,  that  the  Israelites 
must  be  a  refuge  for  the  slaves  of  the  Israelites,  is  simply  nonsense. 

*•  Every  man  would  draw  his  pword  against  his  neighbor,  and, 
instead  of  obeying  the  paternal  injunction  ot  Joseph  :  'See  that  ye 
fall  not  out  by  the  way,'  there  would  have  been  endless  civil  wars  ; 
they  would  have  been  like  the  wicked,  tu  whum  'there  is  no  peace.' 

"  There  may  have  been  throe  reasons  for  this  law  against  the  return 
of  fugitive  slaves.  1.  The  heathen  had  no  divine  right  for  holding 
^lave.'',  as  the  Hebrews  did.  They  had  made  slaves  of  prisoners  taken 
in  war  ;  '  might  was  right'  with  them.  -.  'J'hcy  were  a  wicked  and 
cruel  people  ;  slavery  with  them  was  connected  with,  and  subject  to 
the  very  worst  developments  of  ciuelty  and  inhumanity,  and  the 
masters  being  in  tbo  '  deep,  dark,  death-damp.s'  of  heathenism,  there 
was  no  po.>^sibility  of  any  knowledge  of  the  trui:  (Jod  being  imparted 
tu  them.-  o.  As  the  Hebrews  understood  the  rigiits  oii  mastereover 
their  slaves,  they  would  never  have  interiered,  even  with  this  cruel 
form  of  vassalage,  without  a  divine  injunction,  sjiecially  given, 
requiring  it.  Even  to  this  day,  you  find  no  abolitionists  among  the 
more  learned  and  intelligent  Hebrews.  Now,  if  we  admit  your  inter- 
pretation to  be  correct,  we  are  re(|uired  to  believe  that  one  passage  of 
Scripture  authorizes  us  to  hold  slaves,  and  another  takes  it  away  ; 
that  the  Divine  Heing  who  authorizes  his  people  in  one  statute  to 
purchase  and  hold  bondmen  '  forever,'  in  another  place  denies  the 
existence  of  any  such  ri;.'ht.  Indeed,  that  .Moses  intended  in  the 
same  code  of  laws  to  establihh  and  abolith  slavery ;  with  one  hand  to 
het  up,  and  with  the  other  to  strike  down  the  institution  ;  to  say  and 
unsay;  to  enact  and  repeal  ;  to  enforce  and  revoke;  to  grant  rights 
and  then  destroy  them.  Now  it  is  easy  enough  to  see  how  Sumner 
or  ( ■banning,  Parker  or  Beerher,  would  dispose  of  this  diflBculty,  by 


NELLIE   NORTON.  43 

an  aj)peal  to  the  higher  law  of  conscience,  or  by  a  total  rejection  of 
the  Bible  and  its  great  Author,  on  account  of  abolition  sentiments 
and  precepts,  but  you  take  the  Bible,  the  whole  Bible,  as  true,  and 
as  consistent  with  itself,  you  do  not  believe  it  is  self-contradictory. 
How  you  can  dispoj<e  of  it,  1  am  at  a  loss  to  know,  if  you  attempt  to 
harmonize  your  construction  with  the  Scriptures  I  have  quoted,  and 
with  your  own  and  ])r.  Wayland's  admissions.  If  your  construction 
is  right,  why  did  the  angel  say,  '  Hagar.  Sarah's  maid,  whence  comest 
thou,  and  whither  wilt  thou  go  V  And  when  she  said,  '  I  flee  from 
the  face  of  my  mistress,  Sarai,'  why  did  he  say  '  Return  to  thy  mis- 
tress, and  submit  thyself  under  her  hands  V  Had  he  who  had  been 
in  the  presence  of  the  Holy  and  Just  One,  taught  by  infinite  wisdom, 
sent  on  a  mission  of  love,  mercy  and  justice,  been  kept  ignorant  of 
the  fact  that  slavery  was  iniquitous,  and  that  fugitives  should  be 
detained  from  their  master's  ?  Or  did  he  commit  a  blunder  and  do 
his  errand  badly  ?  Or  was  he  unfaithful  to  his  Divine  Master?  Or 
must  you  not  admit  that  he  was  sent  for  the  very  purpose  of  reclaim- 
ing this  runaway  slave,  and  sending  her  back  to  her  lawful  mistre??. 
The  latter  alone  can  be  true. 

"  Then  if  an  angel  of  God,  a  messenger  of  heaven,  did  right  in 
returning  one,  you  would  do  wrong  in  retaining  the  other,  unless, 
indeed,  you  of  the  North  are  the  Israelites,  and  we  of  the  South  the 
heathens — you  alone  possessing. the  knowledge  of  the  true  God,  and 
we  in  the  '  death  of  damps'  of  idolatry — you  the  merciful,  and  we 
the  unjust,  iniquitous  murderers  of  our  slaves.  Perhaps  abolitionists 
*  arc  the  people,  and  wisdom  will  die  with  them.'  Perhaps  they  are 
the  christians,  and  the  only  humane  and  philanthropic  people  in  the 
universe.  If  one  thouKl  listen  at  their  uniueapurrd  denunciations 
ai:ainst  us,  their  unsparing  abuse,  and  consummate  dictation,  ho 
would  hardly  conclude  otherwise  than  that  they  thought  themselves 
infallible  in  judgment,  unerring  in  their  conclusions,  without  sin  in 
their  lives,  and  surrounded  by  a  heaven  of  purity  at  home  where  no 
more  righteousness  was  needed ;  that  slavtiry  whs  indeed  '  the  sum 
of  all  villainies.'  the  sin  of  the  age  and  (he  crime  of  the  earth,  and 
they  were  responsible,  physically,  morally  and  politically,  for  its 
extinction,  and  that  nothing  else  was  to  be  done  until  this  was  accom- 
plished. This  great  revolution  is  to  be  brought  about,  not  by  the 
power  of  moral  suasion,  not  by  the  melting  appeals  of  the  Gospel  of 
love,  not  by  the  '  spirit  of  meekness,'  not  by  any  of  the  means  used 
by  the  great  Redeemer  to  reclaim  man  from  his  errors,  but  rather  as 
Rehoboam  would  enforce  the  subjection  of  the  tribes  of  Israel,  with 
a  wjiip  of  Fcorpioos." 


-U  NKLLIK   N0RTO?». 

"  iVrlia'pK,  "  sail!  Mr.  Pratt,  "  I  indulged  a  little  too  much  of 
Northern  feeling  und  senliraent  for  a  Southern  parlor.  '  The  wrath 
of  nan  worketh  not  the  righteousness  of  God.'  I  .«hall  endeavor  to 
be  more  guarded  in  the  future,  lept  we  both  should  imitate  what  you 
call  the  'unholy  spirit  of  Northern  fnnaticif*m.'  ( J rcater  seriousness 
and  less  declamation  comport  with  the  investigation  of  Scriptural 
truth." 

"Thank  you,  sir,"  said  Mr.  T.,  "  I  will  endeavor  to  follow  the 
worthy  example  which  you  will  doubtlcKS  set  me." 

*'  1  think,"  taid  Mr.  1*.,  "your  mistake  grows  out  of  your  inter- 
pretation of  this  isolated  text.  It  was  undoubtedly  spoken  of  the 
servants  of  heathen  masters,  and  your  argument  has  some  plausi- 
bility; indeed,  I  am  not  prepared,  just  now,  to  refute  it,  if  it  be 
incorrect.  But  your  construction  of  all  those  passages  you  have 
<|Uotcd,  is  certainly  erroneous.  I  have  admitted  that  (lod  sanc- 
tioned slavery — I  do  not  mean  in  the  sense  of  approval.  1 1  is  sanc- 
tion of  this  institution  was  no  more  than  His  sanction  of  poligamy 
or  divorce  ;  they  all  stand  upon  the  same  footing — were  all  evils, 
and  only  permitted  for  the  time  being,  and  were  not  designed  to  be 
perpetually  inflicted  as  evils  upon  society.  The  Canaanites  were 
idolatrous,  and  perhaps  it  was  a  mercy  to  enslave  them  to  a  religious 
people,  as  this  was  the  only  means  of  bringing  ttiem  to  a  knowledge 
of  the  true  God,  and  with  this  merciful  porpose,  it  was  temporarily 
permitted.  " 

"  If  it  were  a  mercy,"  said  .Mr.  'J\,  "  to  enslave  the  idolatrous 
Canaanites,  that  thoy  might  be  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  God,  it  is 
no  less  a  meicy  to  enslave  otiier  descendants  of  Ham,  who  are  likewise 
in  idolatry,  and  place  them  where  the  rays  ol'  the  Son  of  Kighteou.sness 
may  fill  them  with  holy  light  and  saving  knowledge.  The  same 
reason  that  made  it  a  mercy  then,  makes  it.  a  niorcy  now,  only  with 
this  difference  in  favor  of  modern  slavery  :  that  the  Christian  dis- 
pensation affords  multiplied  facilities  for  their  Kvangelization,  and 
has  so  far  soltene(^the  hearts  of  masters  generally,  that  the  rigors  of 
ancient  slavery  have  entirely  disappeared. 

"  I  wonder  you  have  not  detected  the  fallacy  of  your  proposition, 
'  that  slavery  ha.s  no  more  divine  sanction  than  poligani}'  or  divorce.' 
God  did  permit  the  two  latter,  but  where  do  y»u  find  for  them  an 
expressed  sanction  ?  It  is  no  where  to  be  found.  Christ  said  it 
was  not  so  from  tlic  beginning.  '  Have  yc  not  read  that  He  which 
made  them  at  the  beginning,  made  them  male  and  female,  and  said 
for  this  cause  shall  a  man  leave  father  and  mother,  and  cleave  to  his 


NELLIE  NORTON,  45 

wife,  and  they  twain  shall  become  one  flesh."  The  only  sanction 
you  can  find  for  divorce,  except  for  whoredom,  is  in  the  regulation 
of  the  evil  as  Moses  found  it.  If  you  call  this  a  sanction,  I  am 
sure  you  ought  never  again  to  deny  that  the  Bible  sanctions  slavery. 
Poligamy,  as  well  as  divorce,  was  forbidden  in  the  above  quotation 
from  the  Savior :  '  Shall  cleave  to  his  wife,'  not  wives,  'they  twain 
(two,)  shall  be  one  flesh. '  But  Jacob,  and  David,  and  Solomon,  and 
perhaps  other  good  men  practiced  poligamy  in  violation  of  the  original 
law  of  marriage  I  plead  no  justification  for  it ;  Moses  made  none, 
lie  dealt  with  an  intractable  people,  of  perverse  disposition  :  an'^  while 
he  enunciated  the  original  law  to  stand  as  a  perpetual  rebuke  to 
them  for  this  evil  practice,  he  regulated  it,  i.  e.,  put  bounds  to  it 
beyond  which  it  dare  not  go,  and  thus  greatly  lessened  the  evils 
which  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  reform.  These  evils  are  Only 
malum  prdhUntvm^  i.  e.,  they  are  sins-,  because  prohibited,  not 
otherwise ;  they  were  not  in  conflict  with  the  immutable  principles 
of  right,  but  they  were  opposed  to  the  relations  which  were  designed 
to  exist  among  the  sexe.*- — and  would  not  the^'Q^fore  hav6  been  wrong, 
if  they  had  not  been  forbidden.  God  miglit,  then,  without  any 
violation  of  the  immutable  principles  of  right,  permit  them,  and 
this  permission,  in  a  theocracy,  might  be  a  tacit  revocation  of  his 
original  law  forbidding  them.  But  you  say  that  slavery  is  malum 
in  se — evil  in  itself^ — a  violation  of  the  immutable  priutiiples  of 
justice  and  right.  If  so,  any  sanction  of  it,  however  short,  is  a 
sanction  of  that  which  violates  the  'unchangeable  principles  of 
right,'  Therefore,  accprding  to  your  admission,  God  sanctidns  a 
violation  of  a  righteous  pi-inciple. 

"  In  the  beginning  God  forbade  poligamy  and  divorce.  When 
introduced  and  practiced  for  a  time  on  account  of  man's  depravity, 
the  Saviour  revokes  the  regulation  of  Moses,  telling  why  it  had 
been  j>rrniit(fJ,  and  forbids  absolutely  the  practice  of  them  forever 
afterwards.  But  not  a7)c  nonf  is  said  by  prophets,  apostles,  or 
the  holy  Eedeemcr,  against  slavery.  (/  rhaUcnge  the  worlJ  to  Jin- 
jn-vvc  this  assrrfi'rm.')  This,  to  my  mind,  is  a  most  significant  and 
convincing  fact."  Mr.  T.  ceased  speaking.  A  distressing  silence 
reigned  for  a  moment,  Nellie,  the  meantime,  looking  first  at  her 
uncle,  and  then  at  Mr.  Pratt,  wishing  some  one  would  break  the 
silence.  She  felt,  if  what  her  uncle  said  was  true,  her  pastor  ought 
to  yield  and  confess  that  he  was  in  error,  as  she  now  was  pretty 
well  satisfied  he  was.  The  pastor  soon  rallied,  however,  and  with 
some   warmth,   replied  :    "  Mr.   Thompson  !    I  tell  you  slavery   is 


4fi  NKLLIS    NORTON. 

wronp,  I  caro  not  what  you  suy  ;  my  hinumiid/  (cHs  me  it  is  imnirj, 
and  all  the  arji^unient  and  fophistry  in  the  world  can't  convince  me 
it  is  right.  My  co7iscutice  and  my  ferlinrjt  puidc  mo  and  teach  me  j 
and  I  am  satisfied  the  poet  dcscrihed  you  masters  of  the  South  when 
ho  8aid  : 

*  Man's  inhumanity  to  man,  makes  countless  thourand.s  mourn. ' 

Is  inhumanity  right  ?  is  it  right  to  cause  human  sufiering  ?  If  not, 
then  tell  me  not  that  slavery  is  right.  " 

*'  Pardon  me,  sir,"  said  Mr.  T.,  "you  take  me  quite  by  surprise 
1  expected  a  reply  to  the  argument.  But  I  need  not  be  astonished, 
for  you  Northern  people  never  have  given,  and  never  can  give  the 
subject  of  slavery  a  fair  and  impartial  investigation.  The  time  has 
past  for  that.  Prejudice  against  the  institution  has  so  preoccupied 
the  mind,  as  pcsitively  to  incapacitate  it  for  the  task.  Many  at  the 
South  once  believed  it  was  wrong,  and  they  owe  the  correction  of 
the  error  somewhat  to  the  fanaticism  of  the  Abolitionists.  When 
you  began  to  denounce  it  a.s  a  great  sin,  and  to  petition  Congress 
for  its  abolition,  and  to  form  your  emancipation  societies,  our  people 
cautiously  began  t«  investigate  the  morality  of  the  institution. 
Knowing  that  the  Jiible  alone  was  infallible  on  moral  subjects,  they 
began  to  'Kearch  the  (scriptures.'  'J'he  consequence  is,  that  all  intel- 
ligent Southerners  are  now  convinced  that  slavery  is  right,  and  they 
never  will  abandon  the  institution,  nor  can  they  bo  driven  Irom  it. 
The  Northern  people  never  discovered  the  evil  till  they  had  .sW^^ 
theii  slaves  and  pocketed  the  proceeds.  Suddenly  they  were  aroused 
to  the  fact  that  slavery  was  wrong.  'J'hey  did  not  go  to  the  liible  to 
prove  its  error,  but  to  humanity.  I^'rom  thi.s  source  they  drew  their 
principles,  and  then  went  to  the  IJible  to  torture  it  into  a  support  of 
their  preconceived  opinions.  This  enabled  them  to  soo  a  great  many 
things  which  were  not  there,  and  to  place  constructions  upon  the 
Divine  word  wholly  at  variance  with  its  meaning.  They  have  so 
long  dallied  with  their  Delilah  that  they  are  shorn  of  their  man- 
hood. The  por\-er  of  prejudice,  in  the  hands  of  political  dema- 
gogues, scnsutionalist.s,  press  and  pulpit,  liave  completely  bound 
them.  Oppo.'iiiion  to  slavery  has  become  much  the  larger  portion  of 
their  religion.  It  has  pervaded  society  to  such  an  extent,  and 
taken  such  powerful  liold  upon  public  sentiment,  that  but  few  men 
have  moral  courage  enough  to  doubt  the  ?}).sc  dixit  of  the  veriest 
political  tyro  that  prates  from  the  rostrum  against  the  South.  There 
are  mofe  sermons  preached  against  slavery  than  against  drunkenness, 


'  NELLIE   NORTON.  47 

theft,  debauchery,  or  any  other  pin  to  which  fallen  humanity  is 
heir.  A  Sabbath  School  book  cannot  be  written  in  a  style  acceptable  to 
to  the  Northern  uiiud,  unless  it  condemns  it  in  some  part.  No  doubt 
but  there  are  more  prayers  made  for  the  cessation  of  slavery  than 
for  the  discontinuance  of  idolatry  among  the  heathens  ;  indeed,  it  is 
considered  a  crime  of  the  'darkest  malignity, '  notwithstanding  the 
sanction  it  receives  from  Divine  Eevelation.  " 

'•  1  have  determined,  "  said  Mr.  Pratt,  "  to  adhere  to  the  question 
of  moral  wrong  in  slavery.  I  am  not  at  all  convinced  by  anything 
you  have  said  or  proven  from  the  Scriptures,  that  slavery  does  not 
involve  moral  guilt.  1  will  again  avail  myself  of  the  very  accurate 
definition  and  conclusive  argument  of  Dr.  Wayland.  Slavery  is  the 
'  right  to  oblige  another  to  labor  for  me  without  his  contract  or 
consent,  with  the  additional  right  to  use  all  the  means  necessary  to 
insure  the  exercise  of  the  original  right.  I  suppose  God  made  of 
one  blood  all  men  that  dwell  upon  the  earth,  that  we  are  all  par- 
takers of  the  same  nature,  as  we  are  all  the  children  of  one  coniuiou 
parent.  1  suppose  that  this  common  nature  is  not  affected  in  any 
respect  by  the  color  of  the  skin,  the  difference  of  the  hair,  or  by 
any  other  variety  of  physical  formation.  *  *  *  j  believe  that 
every  individual  is  endowed  with  an  immortal  soul,  and  that  he  is 
placed  in  the  present  state  of  probation,  a  candidate  for  everla.'^ting 
happiness  or  everlasting  woe.  He  has  an  intellect  capable  of 
endless  progression  in  knowledge,  and  is  animated  with  a  desire  to 
improve  that  intellect  to  the  utmost.  God  has  given  him  a  right  to 
improve  it  to  whatever  extent  he  pleases.  He  is  endoweil  with  a 
conscience  which  renders  him  susceptible  of  obligations  both  to  God 
and  to  man.  la  virtue  of  this  endowment,  it  is  his  imperative  duty 
to  seek,  by  all  the  means  in  his  power,  to  know  the  will  of  God  ;  and 
it  is  his  inalienable  right  to  serve  (iod  in  the  manner  which  ho 
beheves  will  be  most  pleasing  to  the  Creator.  He  has  powers  of 
external  action,  and  by  means  of  his  intellect  he  may  use  these  powers 
for  the  improvement  of  his  own  condition  ;  and  ])rovided  he  uses 
them  not  in  violation  ot  the  equal  rights  of  his  brethren,  he  may 
employ  them  as  he  will,  and  the  result  of  this  employment  is  strictly 
and  exclusively  his  own. '  Now,  Mr.  Thompson,  look  at  slavery  in 
connection  with  these  views,  as  a  candid  man,  as  a  philanthropist. 
Slavery  denies,  in  spirit,  that  'God  of  one  blood  mode  all  men  that 
dwell  upon  the  earth.'  It  abrogates  the  one  *■  rommon  nature' 
derived  from  one  common  parent.  It  annuls  the  religious  rights  of 
the  enslaved,  and  denies  to  them  the  privilege  of  moral  and  intel- 


48  NELLIE   NORTON. 

lectual  culture.  It  restniins  them  from  the  employment  of  their 
own  time  for  their  own  benefit.  Now,  sir,  can  a  system  be  right 
which  must  neceRsarily  involve  such  injustice?      Can  it?" 

"  ^  ou  are  an  admirable  tactician,"  haid  Mr.  T.  "  Having  found 
the  IJible  a  pro-slarery  book,  you  resort  to  Dr.  Wayland.  Divine 
truth  being  against  you,  you  seek  help  from  what  the  Abolitionists 
have  decided  to  be  the  most  simple  and  cdudusivc  argument  they 
have  read.'  Now,  as  you  have  l«lt  the  Uible  because  it  is  against 
you,  and  gone  to  the  '  Author  of  the  Moral  Science  '  as  the  best 
authority  to  which  you  can  appeal,  what  will  bu  your  next  step  if 
he  should  prove  insuSicient!''  I  ask  this  question  in  time,  that  you 
may  be  casting  about  in  your  mind  beibrchand.  A  good  general  is 
al\Tay.-i  prepared  fur  a  retreat,  in  the  event  of  a  reverse.  But  I 
am  under  no  obligations  to  reply  to  your  article  from  Dr.  Wayland. 
Our  "proposition  was  to  discuss  slavery  from  the  Bible.  1  will,  how- 
ever, notice  the  views,  if  for  iiothin-^  else,  just  to  show  the  sophistry 
of  your  celebrated  author.  '  Slavery, '  you  say,  '  denies,  in  spirit, 
that  (xod  of  one  blood  made  all  men  that  dwell  upon  the  earth. ' 
How  slavery  denies  its  announcement  you  did  not  say.  We  find  it 
in  the  same  book  in  which  we  find  'thou  shalt  buy  bondmen  and 
bondmaids. '  ^Ve  have  the  same  authority  ibr  the  belief  of  the  one 
thaX  we  have  for  the  practice  of  the  other,  God  is  the  author  of 
both — we  then  are  free.  Your  charge  falls  (whether  with  becoming 
huniility  you  must  decide,)  upon  the  authur  of  the  Bible.  If  we 
held  slaves  without  any  Divine  authority,  your  charge  would  at  least 
possess  some  plausibility  ;  but  you  left  the  Bible  without  showing  it 
to  be  anti-slavery.  It  is  nut  very  courteous  to  that  volume  to  call 
it  in  as  a  witness  against  us,  when  you  have  tacitly  denied  the  credi- 
bility of  its  testimony.  Again,  you  say,  '  It  abrogates  the  common 
nature  derived  iromone  common  parent. '  How  so?  Have  we  ever 
denied  that  negroes  were  descended  iVom  Adam  and  from  Noah; 
that  w«  have  one  common  Father '{  Have  we  ever  denied  that  they 
were  totally  depraved,  fallen  sinners?  Have  we  ever  denied  that 
they  are  immorUil  beings,  or  withheld  t'roni  them  the  Gospel  ?  Have 
we  denied  that  they  were  flesh  and  blood  and  bones ;  were  subject 
like  ourselvcH  to  joys  and  sorrows,  health  and  sickness,  life  and 
death?  Does  slavery  deny  the  common  humanity  of  bondmen  in 
any  respect  ? 

,  'Ib  lie-  i.ui  mil.,  by  sin  and  Buflbriug  tried; 
Is  be  not  man,  for  whom  a  Saviour  died  i" 

You  assert  what  cannot  be   proven,  and  take  for  granted  the  very 


NELLIE   NORTON.  49 

point  in  issue.  Do  you  hold  that  the  obligation  of  a  child  to  obey 
the  parent  'abrogates'  the  'common  nature,'  because  children  are 
bound  to  'obey  their  parents  ?'  Is  an  apprentice  bound  to  his  prin- 
cipal for  a  tdrm  of  years  thereby  removed  beyond  the  pale  of  our 
common  brotherhood  ?  If  so,  every  pupil  at  school,  every  young 
man  in  College,  every  operative  in  the  workshops  and  factories,  is 
for  the  time  being  excluded  from  participation  in  the  'common 
nature'  inherited  from  one  common  parent?  I  think  y«u  mean 
more  than  you  have  said.  You  doubtless  had  in  your  mind  the 
ad  captandum  saying  of  Dr.  Chauning  :  '  The  consciousness  of  our 
humanity  involves  the  persuasion  that  we  cannot  be  owned  as  a  tree 
or  a  brute.' 

"  Thank  you  for  the  quotation,"  said  Mr.  Pratt,  "I  was  not  able 
to  call  it.  up,  but  the  idea  was  in  my  mind;  I  only  wanted  the 
words.  " 

"  You  suppose,  then,"  paid  Mr.  Thompson,  "or  rather  Dr,  Chan- 
ning  supposes  that  slavery  makes  trees  and  brutes!  out  of  negroes. 
We  burn  trees  for  firewood  very  frequently,  but  I  have  never  known 
a  slave  thus  burned.  We  build  houses  and  fences,  and  bridges,  and 
Railroad  cars  and  steamships,  and  masts  6ut  of  trees,  but  we  have 
never  as  yet  appropriated  our  negroes  to  such  purposes.  We  will 
leave  to  I'^aukee  ingenuity,  that  can  make  nutmegs  and  hams  out 
of  wood,  or  sell  a  flask  of  liquor  for  a  Bible,  so  complete  being  the 
imitation,  I  say  we  will  leave  it  to  them  to  teach  us  how  to  convert 
a  negro  into  the  uses  of  a  tree.  As  yet  we  have  more  trees  than 
negroes,  and  we  are  satisfied  for  each  to  occupy  its  appropriate  place. 

"  But  again,  you  say  it  makes  '  brutes'  of  them.  We  use  our 
brute  here  to  ride,  to  pull  the  plough,  to  draw  the  wagon  and  car- 
riage ;  but  we  have  not  yet  learned  that  our  slaves  are  able  to  per- 
form such  services.  It  remains  for  some  Yankee  in  the  future  to 
ride  to  town  on  tlie  back  of  a  negro  fellow,  or  lo  invent  the  yoke 
or  harness  to  pull  the  wagOn,  or  to  be  drawn  to  the  city  by  four  of 
them.  Yankee  ingenuity  has  neveryet  failed  in  accomplishing  its 
purpose,  and  we  can't  say,  but  that  a  man  who  hn&  found  out  that 
slavery  makes  trees  and  brutes  of  negroes,  may  yet,  if  he  can  only 
get  legal  jiossession  of  them,  appropriate  them  to  these  purposes. 
Now,  sir,  I  have  answered  your  Dr.  Chauning  in  strict  accordance 
with  Prov.  xxvi :  5.     Answer  a  fool  according  to  his  folly. 

"  God    says  'buy  boondmcn  and  bondmaids.'     Y'ou    say,  Oh,  po  !* 
that  would  be,  in  spirit,  to  deny  that  God  of  one  blood  made  all  men 
that  dwell  upon  the  earth.     God  says  '  Canaan  shall  be  a  servant  of 
G 


60  NELLIE   NORTON. 

servants  to  his  brethren.'  You  t-hrink  back  with  horror  and  say 
'  forbear,  for  that  would  abrogate  the  common  humanity  derived  from 
one  common  parent.'  God  says  '  they  shall  be  your  possessions, 
your  money.'  '  Never,  no  never,'  you  say.  '  may  humanity  forbid, 
for  this  would  be  to  make  them  as  trees  and  brutes.'  Now,  sir,  who 
is  to  be  believed  and  who  obeyed,  you  or  yonr  Maker  y 

"  But  you  do  not  say,"  said  Mr.  Pratt,  '  that  in  law  you  consider 
your  slaves  as  mere  chattels?  Senator  Sumner  said  in  his  cele- 
brated speech  at  the  Metropolitan  theatre,  in  1855,  '  By  the  law 
of  slavery,  man,  created  in  the  image  of  God,  is  divested  of  his 
human  character,  and  declared  to  be  a  mere  chattel,  and  .said  he 
quoted  from  the  law  of  two  phivc  States,  South  Carolina  and  Louis- 
iana," 

"Nellie,''  said  Mr.  Tbomps^oD,  "  please  hand  me  my  scrap  book 
from  my  library.  I  have  taken  care  to  gather,  as  far  as  I  could,  all 
laws  on  the  subject  of  slavery,  and  codify  them  for  my  own  informal 
tion.  It  will  therefore  be  in  my  power  to  sec  if  the  distinguished 
Senator  has  done  justice  to  our  noble  little  sister  State."  After 
turning  the  leaves  for  a  few  minutes,  Mr.  T.  read  aloud,  ''Slaves 
shall  be  delivered,  sold,  taken,  reputed  and  adjudged  in  law  to  be 
chattels  pergonal  in  the  hand.s  of  their  oAvuers  and  possessors,  and  their 
executors,  administrators  and  assigns,  to  all  intents,  constructions  and 
purposes  whalhuevor."  "  If  Mr.  Sumner,"  said  Mr.  T.,  "  was  a  plain 
farmer,  who  knew  nothing  beyund  his  niiik  and  cheese  and  butter, 
and  had  read  nothing  but  the  Tribune,  and  had  never  heard  anyone 
preach  but  Henry  AVard  Beecher  or  Theodore  Parker,  I  should  bo 
disposed  to  attribute  fo  him  oil  honesty  of  purpose,  and  he  would 
claim  my  most  earnest -pity.  Hut  for  a  United  States  Senator  tosny 
that  '  chattels  pergonal'  means  '  mere  iliattel;*,'  is  to  say  that  his  igno- 
rance dif^qualifies  him  lor  his  position,  or  that  kis  duplicity  entitles 
him  to  the  reprobation  of  all  truth-loving  and  honest  people.  The 
law  says  '  chattels  personal'  U>  distingui.-^h  them  from  chattels  real  or 
landed  estates  and  fixtures,  but  a  more  chattel  is  nothing  more  than 
a  chattel.  Senator  Sumner  is  an  animal,  and  would  not  feel  reproached 
if  I  were  to  tell  him  so;  but  it  I  were  to  say,  he  is  a  mere  animal,  it 
would  be  the  same  as  to  say,  he  is  nothing  but  an  animal.  Senator 
Sumner  is  a  thing,  but  is  he  a  mere  thing,  u  thing  only  ?" 

"  I  see  the  point  in  your  argument  very  plainly,  uncle,"  said  NoUie. 
"Mr.  Sumner  has  made  an  interpolation  by  substituting  mere  for 
personal,  and  has  thus  materially  altered  the  sense  of  the  law.  The 
way  he  makes  the  law  read,  is  to  put  slaves  in  the  catalogue  with 


NELLIE   NORTON.  51 

watches,  furniture  and  the  like,  while  the  word  'personal'  is  placed 
before  them  to  distinguish  them  from  real  estate.  They  were  said  in 
the  Bible  to  be  a  man's  money;  this  is  the  light  in  which  your  leg- 
islators view  them,  when  they  call  them  chattels.  I  suppose  it 
simply  means  property  or  possession.  This  much,  I  believe,  you 
have  shown  from  the  Bible,  you  are  authorized  to  call  them.  Then 
they  are  chattels,  and  as  they  are  not  real  estate,  they  must  be  per- 
sonal. But  the  word  chattel  does  not  in  the  least  interfere  with  their 
humanity.  I  wonder  if  such  perversions  are  common  with  our  abo- 
lition orators  of  the  North  ?  if  they  arc,  the  '  blind  are  leading  the 
blind,'  and  I  do  oot  t-ee  what  is  to  keep  us  all  out  of  the  ditch  of 
error,  for  the  common  people  have  no  means  of  detecting  these  errors, 
Ijowever  glaring  they  may  be.  We  all  gulp  them  down  as  the  ox 
drinketh  the  water,  and  think  them  gospel  truths.  I  remember 
reading  j\Ir.  Sumner's  speech  just  before  leaving  home,  and  the  im- 
pression made  by  it  upon  my  mind  was,  that  the  South  had  lost  all 
Kense  of  justice  and  humanity.  I  never  dreamed  that  the  honorable 
Senator  would  mislead  his  readers.  1  must  coftfess,  Mr.  Pratt,  that 
I  am  not  only  unsettled  in  my  of>position  to  slavery  as  a  moral  wrong, 
but  my  confidence  in  the  candor  and  honesty  of  the  statements  of 
our  Northern  speakers  on  the  subject  of  slavery  is  greatly  shaken  if 
not  entirely  destroyed.  I  discover  now,  what  I  never  heard  admitted 
»t  the  North,  that  the  subject  of  slavery  has  two  sides.  It  admits 
of  defence;  and  that  upon  moral  and  scriptural  grounds.  I  cannot 
see  any  sophistry  in  uncle's  arguments,  and  the  texts  he  quotes  are 
too  much  in  point  to  be  denied.  As  I  heard  you  say  once  in  a  ser- 
mon, '  Let  God  be  true,  but  every  man  a  liar.'  I  am  willing  to  com- 
mit the  formation  of  my  opinions  on  all  subjects  to  the  infallible 
word  of  wisdom  and  goodness.     God  cannot  err." 

A  servant  entered  and  handed  Nellie  a  note,  which  after  a  silent 
reading,  she  gave  to  her  mother,  who  referred  its  contents  to  her 
uncle  and  aunt.  It  was  a  polite  note  from  Wr.  Mortimer,  asking 
Miss  Nellie  and  her  young  cousin  to  take  a  ride  the  next  afternoon 
to  see,  what  he  considered  a  beautiful  spring  near  bis  plantation.  It 
was  agreed  that  the  invitation  should  be  accepted,  and  Nellie  sought 
her  young  cou.sin  Alice  that  tbcy  might  jointly  answer  the  note.  Tea 
being  announced,  the  family  retired  to  the  dining  room.  While  at 
supper,  Mr.  T.  was  informed  that  one  of  his  servants  was  very  sick 
at  the  cabins,  whither  he  hastened  without  delay. 

"  Nellie,"  said  Mr.  Pratt,  after  they  were  again  seated  in  the  par- 
lor, "  I  regret  very  much  you  so  far  committed  yourself  to  the  prin- 


52  NELLIE   NORTON. 

cipleB  and  practices  of  slavocracy.  Yoa  are  giving  them  aid  and 
comfort,  and  if  we  friends  of  human  liberty  have  no  more  stability 
than  that,  wo  can  never  be  of  eorvice  to  the  down-trodden  slaves. 
Your  uncle  ha.s  not  convinced  nie,  nor  ifo  I  ner  intend  to  Lc  con- 
vinccil." 

**  Mr.  Pratt,"  said  ^ellie,  "  I  did  not  cummit  myself  U>  the  slavoc- 
racy. but  to  the  IJible.  I  have  been  listening  with  the  deepest  interest 
for  you  to  refute  the  scrij/ture  arpunionts  bronuht  forward  by  my 
uncle,  by  a  relerence  to  the  same  high  authority,  but  you  have  dis. 
appointed  mc,  and  1  have  attributed  it,  nut  to  a  want  of  intelligence 
on  your  part,  or  an  absence  of  {amiliarity  with  the  Dible,  nor  could  I 
presume  you  wanting  in  desire  to  demolish  every  profilavery  argu- 
ment ;  but  I  have  attributed  your  iiiilure  to  the  weaknej^s  of  your 
cause.  You  have  not  brought  up  Bible  arguments,  because  there 
were  none.  As  for  being  convinced,  I  hope  always  to  be  willing  to 
listen  without  prejudice  to  scriptural  truth.  This  you  have  taught 
me,  as  my  pastor,  from  childhood;  and  I  desire  to  have  the  candor 
and  moral  firmness  to  confess  an  error  when  discovered." 

"  But,"  said  Mr.  Pratt,  "do  you  not  know  that  the  letter  of  the 
scripture  is  one  thing,  and  the  spirir  is  another.  Paul  says  the  letter 
killetb,  but  the  spirit  giveth  life.  Your  uncle's  arguments  are  spe- 
cious, and  I  am  surprised,  and  1  had  almost  said  ashamed  of  you, 
that  you  have  not  detected  his  sophi.stry." 

"  1  wonder,"  said  Nellie,  "you  did  not  point  it  out  it  it  were  so 
patent,  especially  a.s  you  seemed  so  hard  pushed  for  an  argument  to 
sustain  what  you  have  alway,s  taught  mc  to  "believe  was  tlod's  truth. 
But  you  say  the  '  letter  and  sjtirii'  of  the  Bible  are  different.  Do 
YOU  mean  that  the  Lord  speaks  one  jhing  and  means  ju.st  the  opposite. 
That  when  He  says  'Thou  shalt  buy  bondnien,'  He  means  thou  shall 
not  buy  bondmen'/'  When  lie  says,  '  They  shalt  be  your  bondmen 
/orfVff,'  He  means  you  shall  emancipate  them'/*  No,  sir,  the  letter 
and  spirit  do  not,  cannot  thus  contradict  each  otlier.  That  there  are 
figures  of  speech  in  the  Bible,  I  hnvc  been  taught  by  my  Sabbath 
School  teacher,  and  1  presume  none  will  deny  this,  and  I  have  also 
been  taught,  and  correctly  too,  I  presume,  that  these  are  to  be  inter- 
preted just  as  the  figurative  writings  of  other  authors.  But  if  the 
Bible  is  not  to  be  interpreted  by  its  language,  then  I  am  utterly 
hopeless  as  to  a  standard  of  righteousness  to  which  all  may  come. 
Should  your  opinion  obtain  popular  currency,  and  you  shoold  prove 
yourself  the  man  for  the  place,  we  had  better  have  you  appointed  to 
give  the  spiritual  meaning  of  the  scriptures,  and  take  away  the  word, 


NELLIE   NORTON.  53 

for  what  use  could  we  then  have  for  the  word  ?  But  this  would  be 
to  darken  counsel,  or  rather  to  extinguish  the  light  entirely.  Do  you 
think  it  is  right  to  say,  '  You  never  intend  to  be  convinced  V" 

"Yes,"  said  Mr.  Pratt,  "it  is  right  to  close  the  avenues  to  men- 
tal conviction  against,  all  such  monstrosities.  Do  you  think  I  would 
read  Voltaire  or  Paine  with  my  heart  or  mind  open  to  conviction  ? 
Preposterous.  Do  you  think  I  would  listen  to  a  Mormon  preacher 
without  fortifying  every  access  to  my  convictions?  Never  !  no  never  !! 
Be  on  your  guard,  Xcllie,  you  are  young  and  easily  carried  away  by 
specious  arguments  and  plausible  pretences.  Your  uncle  has  met 
abolitionists  before.  He  i.>*  well  read  and  can  make  the  worse,  the 
better  side  appear.  There  is  an  air  of  straight  forwardness  about 
him,  well  calculated  to  deceive  the  young.     Ho  is  a  wily  tactician." 

"But,  Mr.  Pratt,"  said  Nellie,  "j'ou  are  not  fortifying  yourself 
against  infidelity,  but  against  truth.  Not  steeling  yourself  against 
the  fallacies'of  a  Mormon  preacher,  but  against  utterances  ^f  a  prophet 
of  God.  Not  against  an  error,  but  against  heaven's  revelation.  You 
are  not  required  to  believe  a  '  moral  monstrosit}-,'  but  simply  what 
God  has  spoken  in  plain  language.  The  infidel  would  tell  you  it  is  a 
monstrous  fabrication,  that  a  just  and  benevolent  God  ordained  apian 
for  human  redemption,  which  made  it  necessary  that  Lis  own  son 
should  suffer  and  bleed  and  die.  He  says  you  demand  too  much  of 
his  credulity.  But  you  answer  him  by  saying  <  Thus  it  is  written,' 
'  If  they  will  not  believe  Moses  and  the  prophets,  they  would  not  be- 
lieve one  though  he  rose  from  the  dead.'  The  arguments  of  my  uncle 
are  not  specious  but  scriptural,  and  to  my  mind  conclusive  ;  and 
though  I  am  joung,  and  on  that  account  perhaps  the  more  easily 
influenced,  yet  I  have  not  been  willingly  convinced,  and  even  now, 
while  I  cannot  answer  uncle's  arguments,  and  it  etems  as  plain  as 
that  2  and  2  are  four,  yet  1  confess  that  my  feelings  of  humanity  do 
not  so  easily  yield  as  my  judgment,  but  this  may  be  because  I  have 
not  heard  the  Ivumanity  side  of  the  question.  I  did  not  at  first  believe 
there  was  a  scriptural  side  of  the  question,  but  a%  I  have  been  con- 
vinced of  that,  I  am  still  further  open  to  conviction  by  i\iQ  power  of 
Truth." 

The  conversation  was  interrupted  by  the  entrance  of  Mrs.  Norton 
and  Mrs.  Thompson,  who,  not  knowing  the  nature,  or  even  existence 
of  the  conversation,  proposed  that  Nellie  entertain  them  with  some 
new  pieces  of  music,  with  which  her  uncle  had  presented  her  on  her 
arrival.  The  remainder  of  the  evening  was  spent  by  the  family,  in 
the  parlor,  in  social  converse,  {"nterspersed  with  now  and  then  a  little 
muaio  from  Nellie  or  Alice 


54  :<ELLIE    X0RTO!». 

Mr.  Thompson,  b}-  the  aid  of  his  physician,  was  vaiHlj  cndcavorinp 
ib  arrest  the  effects  of  a  congestion,  which  hr.rl  ^&/.vi\  hold  on  lieuben, 
one  of  his  most  pious  and  valued  servants.  The  long  hours  of  (ho 
\Tcary  ni{:ht  were  spent  around  the  bedside  of  this  colored  man ;  but 
the  morning  sun  arose  above  his  lifeless  body. 

The  servants  were  notified  to  be  present  at  the  funeral  obsequies  at 
S  P.  M.  The  sermon  wus  to  be  preached  by  "  Uncle  Jesse,"  the  col- 
ored preacher,  who,  on  that  account,  spent  the  day  at  home. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Kegro  Funeral — Pleasant  Ride — Plantoticn  Piety^*  All  Men 
Born  FAe  and  EqiLgV  Exposed — Rights  of  Slaves — A  Pirturr 
of  Free  Negro  Prosperity — KtUit'x  Opiiilou  of  Slaveholders. 

Nellie  and  Alice  were  early  from  their  rooms,  each  anticipating  a 
pleasant  ride  that  afternoon,  for  Mr.  Mortimer  was  known  to  both 
as  a  man  of  cultivation,  and  unusually  fine  social  qualities,  Nellie, 
heating  herself  at  the  piano,  played  and  sang  one  of  her  most  senti- 
jnental  pieces,  the  nieautirne  building  air  castles,  when,  where  and 
how,  we  shall  not  say.  She  had  a  heart  to  ajtpreciate  the  noble,  the 
good,  the  generous,  and  her  imagination,  when  unfettered  by  other 
attractions,  was  always  filled  with  images  of  loveliness  and  beauty- 
She  but  seldom  luokcd  at  the  dark  side  of  a  picture ;  if  it  had  a 
bright  one,  she  delighted  to  guze  upon  it;  if  imt.  sho  turned  away 
us  a  true  philosopher  to  hunt  one  that  did. 

At  the  breaki'ast  table  .^Ir.  Thomp>;(tn  announced  the  death  of 
Reuben,  which  cast  a  shadow  over  the  bright  faces  of  the  young 
cousins,  who  had  only  heard  of  his  illness  before.  The  arrangements 
for  the  funeral  were  also  spoken  of,  and  when  Nellie  ascertained  that 
'■  Uncle  Jesse  "  was  to  officiate,  she  regretted  the  arrangement  for 
the  afternoon,  for  she  was  exceedingly  anxious  to  attend  a  negro 
funeral  j  but  it  wa.s  too  late,  unless  Mr.  Mortimer  was  willing  to 
stay,  and  she  could  not  obtain  her  consent  to  approach  him  on  the 
subject.  Her  mother,  however,  informed  her  she  must  foregoHhe 
pleasure  of  attending  the  funeral,  and  in  due  time  be  in  readiness 
with  her  young»cousin  for  the  ride. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  busy  during  ihd  day,  preparing  for  the  decent 
interment  of  bis  servant ;  and  Mr.  Pratt  took  this  occasion  to  gratify 


NELLIE   NORTOJC.  65 

his  Yankee  curiosity,  and  feed  his  abolition  sentiments,  by  walking 
about  the  cabins  and  prying  into  the  condition  of  the  slaves, 
observing  the  care  taken  of  the  aged  and  the  helpless  young,  but 
WHS  surprised  to  find  so  little  to  condemn  and  so  much  to  approve. 

When  the  hour  for  the  funeral  arrived,  the  white  family,  with  Mr. 
Pratt,  went  to  the  house  of  worship  to  witness  the  ceremony  and 
hear  the  sermon.  "Uncle  Jesse"  was  already  in  the  pulpit  When 
all  were  seated,  he  arose  and  read  a  part  of  the  14th  chapter  of  Job, 
and  then  lined  out  the  hymn  : 

"  Hark  from  the  tombs  a  doleful  sound, 

Mine  ears  attend  the  cry, 
Yc  living  men  come  view  the  ground 

Where  you  must  shortly  lie." 

It  was  sung  in  full  and  solemn  strains  by  the  entire  congregation, 
whose  feelings  seemed  to  be  in  unison  with  the  sentiments  of  the 
hymn  and  the  solemnity  of  the  occasion.  The  minister  then  knelt, 
and  engaged  in  fervent  prajer  that  this  sudden  visitation  of  Provi- 
dence might  be  a  warning  to  servants  and  owner.  He  expressed 
thanks  that  the  one  taken  from  them  had  pat  his  trust  in  the  Son  of 
God,  and  was  ready  and  willing  to  go. 

He  announced  his  text:  "  The  righteous  hath  hope  in  his  death." 
After  giving  some  explanations  of  the  nature  and  value  of  the 
christian  hope,  he  drew  a  striking  contrast  between  it  and  the  sinner's 
hope  which  should  perish.  "  The  sinner's  hope,"  said  he,  "will  do 
for  health,  but  the  christian's  is  good  in  sickness  too;  the  sinner's 
seems  strong  enough  when  he  has  no  load  to  carry,  but  it  is  too  weak 
when  the  heavy  burden's  put  upon  him.  It  is  bright  when  the  sun 
shines,  but  goes  out  in  darkness;  it  is  mighty  plea.«ant  in  the  sins  of 
life,  but  not  one  spark  of  it  is  left  for  his  death  bed  ;  and  when  he 
comes  to  judgment,  he  will  call  upon  the  great  big  mountains  to  fall 
on  him  and  kill  him  so  that  the  great  Master  can't  find  him  to  punish 
him.  Where's  hi.s  hope,  then?  He  hain't  got  none,  it's  gone, 
gone  forever.  Poor  sinner  I  he  didn't  love  Jesus  here,  nor  serve 
him,  now  Jesus  won't  take  no  notice  of  him.  He  cry  for  help,  but 
Jesus,  lofjking  up  yonder  gmiling  on  the  good  ones.  He  cry  to  the 
mountains,  but  the  mountains  no  hear  him ;  he  call  on  the  lulls,  but 
the  hills  no  answer  Jbim.  Poor  sinner,  he  got  no  friend,  no  Savior 
at  the  judgment.  Rut  not  so  with  the  faithful  servant;  he  done 
his  day's  work  faithfully;  he  lived  right  so  as  to  please  his  Master; 
he  done  what  he  told  him ;  he  mind  his  Master  up  yonder.  He 
been   looking  all  the  time   for  his  Master  to  come  ;  he  want  to  see 


r56  NELLIE   NORTON. 

I 

Him  ;  he  anxious  for  Him  to  come.  He  look  hU  day  fer  Him.  He 
love  his  Master;  he  hope  in  His  goodness  and  mere}*,  and  as  he, 
sees  the  sun  goinc  down  his  heart  is  happy;  ah  I  he  says,  "I'll  sec 
my  Master  soon.  He'll  be  in  a  good  humor;  He'll  smile  and  say, 
'  well  done  good  and  faithful  servant.'  He  feels  like  the  good 
preacher  of  old,  *  Come,  Lord  Jesus,  como  quickly.'  Blessed  is  he 
who  the  Master  finds  so  doing.  And  when  the  mighty  angel  Gabriel 
shall  blow  his  trumpet  so  loud  that  it  will  wake  the  dead  in  their 
graves,  they  will  need  no  more  hopes  then,  fer  they  will  see  the 
Good  blaster  standing  near  like  He  was  to  Lazarus'  grave,  and  He 
will  give  'em  new  wings,  like  the  angels,  to  fly  away  with  Him  to 
that  big  house  He  is  gone  up  into  heaven  now  to  make  for  them. 
Even  now  while  we  here  are  weeping  and  mourning,  brother  Reuben's 
spirit's  gorfe  up  there  to  be  happy  forever.  He  had  hope  when  he 
was  well.  You  all  know  how  he  used  to  'zort  you  all  to  bleave  in 
Jesus  ;  you  'member  his  good  prayers  and  happy  songs,  and  how  he 
said  he  was  ready  when  the  Master  called  for  him.  So  when  he  got 
sick,  the  Savior  sent  His  good  spirit  to  give  him  strength,  and  he 
had  hope  still.  Last  night,  when  death  was  coming,  and  the  doctor 
and  Mas  George  told  him  they  couldn't  do  nothing  to  save  him,  ho 
said,  '  I  am  so  glad  I  see  the  pretty  angels  coming  for  me,  to  take 
me  up  to  my  long  home  to  be  happy  forever.'  He  said,  '  Uncle 
Jessie,  tell  'em  all  to  be  faithful  servants  to  our  good  Master  here, 
and  to  our  heavenly  Ma.sler  above,  for  He  says  we  must  be  good 
servants  here  to  b«  happy  there.  Tell  them  till  to  meet  me  in 
heaven,  for  when  they  wake  up  in  the  morning  I  shall  be  there.' 
0  Lord,  make  brother  Reuben's  dying  sermon  the  loudest  preaching 
these  poor  servants  ever  heard,  may  it  stick  to  'em  and  weight  'em 
down  tell  they  come  to  Thee  for  lielp. 

"And  now,  my  fellow  Fervants,  before  I  get  through,  let  me  say 
to  you,  who  have  not  the  hope  of  the  righteous  :  The  Lord  sees  you. 
His  eyes  are  like  two  great  balls  of  fire,  set  up  yonder  in  the 
heavens,  only  they  are  there  all  day  and  all  night  too,  looking  down 
even  into  your  hearts  ;  and  for  every  wicked  thought  and  word  he 
will  bring  you  into  judgment.  Repent,  repent,  or  you  will  all  perish 
forever." 

The  preacher  was  much  moved,  and  so  were  all  who  heard  him. 
Mr.  T.  looked  round  at  Mr.  Pratt,  who  was  just  wiping  the  tears 
from  his  eyes.  As  the  master  arose,  there  was  a  general  press 
forward  to  the  coffin  to  take  the  last  look  at  the  breathless  form  of 
"brother  Reuben."     The  wife  came  forward  in  silent  grief,  as  the 


NELLIE   NORTON.  57 

large  tear  drops  fell  from  her  face  like  pearly  dew  drops  from  the 
shaken  grass,  till  she  reached  the  corpse,  when  a  wild  shriek  burst 
from  her  lips,  and  she  fell  prostrate  upon  her  deceased  husband.  A 
moan  of  deep  grief  and  heartfelt  sympathy  was  audible  in  the 
congregation,  .After  a  moment  she  was  gently  removed,  and  the 
men  designated  for  that  purpose  came  forward,  and,  closing  the 
coffin,  marched  slowly  out  of  the  house,  followed  by  all,  white  and 
colored.  As  soon  as  they  all  cleared  the  door,  the  old  ostler  broke 
forth  into  a  solemn  funeral  dirge,  the  refrain  of  which  was  echoed 
by  nearly  all  in  the  procession,  and,  as  they  moved  in  slow  and 
measured  steps,  the  melody  of  death  song  filled  the  air,  till  they 
reached  the  grave,  and  placed  the  body  in  its  last  resting  place. 
When  the  grave  was  filled  up,  a  short  prayer  and  the  benediction  by 
*'  uncle  Jesse  "  was  the  signal  for  dismission. 

While  these  solemn  exercises  were  taking  place,  Nellie,  Alice  and 
Mr.  Mortimer  were    enjoying  the   mild  autumnal   air,  and  regaling 
themselves  with   the  fading  beauties  of  the  lovely  forest.     Passing 
near  the   residence  of  Mr.    M.,   Nellie   inquired,  "  have  you  any 
churches   near  you  where  there  is  a  stated  ministry?"     "None," 
said  Mr,  M.,  "  nearer  than  ten  miles,  and  that  enjoys  only  a  monthly 
ministry."     "Then,"    said   Nellie,    "your   servants   have  but  few 
religious  opportunities,  and  make  but  little  moral  improvement,  for  I 
suppose  that  it  is  too  far  for  them  to  attend  unless  you  furnish  them 
with"  facilities  for  riding."     "  We  never  permit  our  servants,  except 
on  unusual  occasions,  to  go  so   far  to  church,"  said  Mr,  M.     "  We 
find  it  to  our  interest  and  for  their  good,  to  bring  the  minister  to 
them  rather  than  send   them  to  him.     You  will  observe  a  painted 
house  standing  out  to  our  left—  that  is  our  church.''     "  That  with  a 
short  steeple  ?  "  said  Nellie.  "  And  have  you  a  bell  on  it  ?"  "  Yes/' 
said  Mr.  M.,  "  I  bought  in  Savannah  a  steamboat  bell,  which  can  be 
heard  very  well  by  all  my  servants,  and  we  have  it  wrung  just  before 
the  hour  of  preaching,*    We  have  a  good  deal  of  uniformity  in  our 
services.     We  have  an  educated  and   devotedly  pious  man  for.our 
minister,  and  he  is  greatly  attached  to  the  work  of  his  ministry.    He 
has  been  called  to  one  or  two  city  churches,  and  once  I  believe  to  a 
professorship  in  one  of  our  universities,  but  he  feels  this  is  the  work 
assigned  him  by  Providence,  and  therefore  he  stays." 

'•How  often,"  said   Nellie,    "do- you  have    preaching   in  your 
church  ?" 

"  Preaching  twice  a  month,"  said  Mr.  M.,  "  and  prayer  meetings 
the  other  two  Sabbaths  and  one  night  in  each  week.     The  weekly 
H 


58  N'ELLIH   XORTON. 

I 

prayer  meetings,  however,  are  beld  at  the  negro  houses.  They  find 
it  less  labor  after  the  fatigues  of  the  da}',  and  they  procure  a  better 
coBgrcgation,  and  therefore,  at  their  request,  I  have  permitted  them 
to  use  their  own  pleasure  as  to  the  location  of  these  meetings." 

"  Have  you  many  religious  servants  ?  "  said  Nellie. 

"Yes,"  said  Mr.  M.,  "more  than  half  of  my  adult  servants  are 
members  of  the  church,  and  a  large  majority  very  conscientious  and 
pious.  They  are  more  uniform  and  consistent,  more  regular  in  their 
attendance  upon  Divine  worship,  than  any  clas.sof  profel<^■ed  christians 
I  have  ever  seen  \  and  there  is  not  one  among  them  who  refuses  to 
pray  when  asked,  and  I  believe  all  who  have  families  are  accustomed 
to  hold  prayer  with  them  at  least  once  a  day.  They  are  the  most 
religious  class  of  people  in  this  cr  any  other  land.  They  have  fewer 
temptations  to  the  vices,  vanities  and  cares  of  life.  They  are  the 
most  contented  and  hjrppy  people  of  our  fallen  race,  I  j^ometimes 
wish  1  had  been  born  a  slave,  and  reared  in  the  lap  of  unaspiring 
contentment  as  they  have  been.  I  do  not  own  one  who  is  not  to-day 
happier  than  I  am." 

*'  Can  any  of  them  read  ?  "  said  Nellie. 

"  Several  of  them  read  well,"  said  Mr.  Mortimer,  ''  and  have 
their  bibles  and  hymn  books ;  and  some  have  a  knowledge  of 
Scripture  that  would  greatly  surprise  you.  Before  1  became  a 
church  member,  I  used  to  argue  the  subject  of  religion,  taking  the 
negative,  with  a  very  faithlul  old  servant  of  mine.  He  would 
answer  from  the  Bible  every  argument  that  I  brought  up,  till  at  last 
I  denied  the  Divine  inspiration  of  the  Bible,  telling  him  that  it  was 
written  by  a  lew  wicked  men  just  to  see  how  foolish  men  were  in 
believing  a  great  story  that  pretended  to  be  from  heaven. 

"  Master,"  said  he,  "  I'se  seen  a  heap  of  bad  men  in  the  world, 
and  I  never  hear  them  say  good  things  like  the  Bible  got  in  it.  Bad 
men  against  the  |Jible,  and  the  good  things  it  tells  'bout  they  no 
write  it.  You  think  so,  master  i  Ah  !  I  knpw  you  don't.  There's 
somiCthin'  here,"  laying  his  hand  upon  his  heart,  "  that  says  it's 
true,  it's  fnpm  yonder,"  pointing  to  heaven,  "and  your  heart  tell 
you  so  too.  The  wicked  one  make  you  say  the  Bible  not  true ;  he 
want  you  to  burn  to.  the  lake  of  fire  j  he  want  to  keep  you  out  of 
heaven.  Better  trfke  care,  master,  you  too  good  a  man  for  Satan  to 
get,  but  be  want  you.  You  ought  to  pray,  master,  that  the  good 
Spirit  teach  you  like  a  child  how  to  be  "  wise  unto  salvation  "  and 
good  like  Master  Jesus,  I  pray  for  you  every  day;  I  don't  want  the 
wicked   one  to   get  you ;  I  want  you  to  be  christian,  and  lead  we 


NELLIE  NORTON.  t  59 

bliRSk  folks  io  the  right  way.  I  tell  you,  master,  if  you  be  good 
man,  your  people  be  heap  bettor  and  happier,  and  you  be  happier 
too.    Master,  do  try  to  be  good ;  please,  sir,  won't  you,  dear  luassa  ?" 

Here  teai-s  came  into  the  eyes  of  M.,  while  he  added,  "  under  God  I 
owe  my  salvation  to  the  earnest  and  repeated  exhortations  and 
prayers  of  that  good  servant.  I  have  often  heard  him  pray  for  me 
when  he  was  not  aware  that  I  or  any  one  else  was  near  him." 

"  Do  they  maintain  anything  like  family  discipline  ?  "  said  Nellie. 

"  A  few  of  them  do,"  answered  Mr.  M.,  "  and  most  of  thfem 
command  obedience  from  children  to  their  parents.  But,  like  all 
other  families  of  the  earth,  there  is  n^uch  criminal  negligence  on  this 
subject.  Yet  there  is  not  that  necessity  for  discipline  among  negroes 
that  there  Ls  among  a  free  people  ;  at  least  a  neglect  of  it  is  not  so 
harmful.  Their  children  are  less  exposed  to  temptation  ;  they  do 
not  come  in  contact  with  the  snares  of  a  wicked  and  designing 
world  as  we  do;  the  restraint  which  slavery  places  upon  them  is  an 
admirnble  guard  against  the  dissipations  which  ruin  so  many  youn"' 
men  in  our  country.  The  pious  among  them  generally  take  some 
pains  in  the  religious  training  of  their  children,  but  many  of  them, 
like  the  whites  of  every  land,  arc  guilty  of  sisful  neglect  on  this 
subject.  Many  white  children  are  ruined  for  the  want  of  proper 
religious  instructions  and  restraints,  and  it  is  hardly  to  be  expected 
that  the  servant  should  be  above  his  lord  in  this  respect." 

"  I  suppose,"  said  Nellie,  *'  their  standard  of  moral  honesty  is 
very  low;  their  ability  to  discriminate  between  mine  and  thine  must 
be  very  weak." 

"  They  are  not  all  honest,  but  there  is  less  dishonesty  among  them 
than  among  any  class  of  dependents  in  the  world.  Our  house 
pcrvants  have  opportunities  to  take  anything  we  have,  even  our 
inon^y,  but  either  their  sense  of  moral  wrong,  or  their  pride  of 
character,  keeps  them  from  yielding  to  the  temptations  which  arc 
thus  daily  placed  before  them.  Such  of  us  as  are  bachelors,  as 
inysclf,  place  even  our  keys  at  their  disposal,  so  that  they  have  free 
access  to  everything.  I  have  no  doubt,  from  my  knowledge  of  their 
character,  that  generally  they  arc  influenced  from  a  sense  of  moral 
honesty  in  abstaining  from  taking  the  things  which  belong  toothers. 
Nine  cases  out  of  ten  of  the  robberies  committed  in  our  cities  are  perpe- 
trated by  white  persons.  There  are  more  slaves  in  our  cities, 
perhaps  double  the  number,  than  of  poor  persons.  Why  do  they  not 
steal'!'  They  have  better  opportunities  than  the  whites.  They  have 
acceaa  to  every  house  ;  they  know  where  the  valuables  are  kept ; 


60  •  NELLIE   NORTO^^ 

they  have  unrestrained  intercourse  with  each  other  that  they  nji^ht 
form  any  collusion  they  chose,  and  yet  they  but  seldom  steal.  The 
reasons  seem  to  me  obvious.  Superadded  to  the  one  already  men- 
tioned, they  have  everything  which  their  condition  in  life  demands. 
They  are  fed  bountifully,  clothed  well,  nursed  when  indisposed,  and 
afforded  as  suitable  diet  when  sick  as  other  persons  enjoy,  and  if  they 
need  anything  they  have  no  hesitation  at  all  in  asking  for  it,  and 
generally  it  affords  a  master  pleasure  to  grant  the  requests,  feven 
though  sometimes  the}'  may  be  very  whimsical.  Then  again,  most 
of  our  servants  entertain  such  an  affection  for  their  masters  that 
they  consider  themselves  as  much  interested  in  what  pertains  to  their 
interests  as  if  it  were  their  own.  I  have  not  a  servant  who  would 
not  labor  as  hard  as  I  to  save  any  piece  of  my  property  from  destruc- 
tion, or  who  would"  not  now  place  himself  in  danger,  if  necessary,  to 
save  me  from  it.  When  1  am  sick  they  manifest  the  greatest  concern 
for  my  recovery,  and  come  in  to  see  me  every  evening  when  they 
return  from  labor,  and  some  of  the  more  pious  will  come  and  propose 
to  hold  prayer  for  mc.  Under  these  circumstances,  they  pray  most 
fervently  and  affectionately.  On  one  occasion,  when  1  was  very  ill, 
and  so  delirious  I  k^ew  nothing,  an  aged  servant  came  in  at  midnight 
and  told  those  who  were  watching  with  me,  that  he  could  not  sleep 
till  he  knelt  by  my  bedside  and  prayed  for  me.  His  request  was 
granted,  and  after  a  prayer  in  such  broken  English  that  it  was 
scarcely  understood  by  those  who  li.'^tened,  for  he  w;i.s  an  African,  he 
retired  satisfied.  His  prayer,  however,  was  heard  in  heaven,  and  the 
answer  of  mercy  was  enjoyed  by  me." 

They  arrived  at  the  spring,  and  the  conversation  was  turned  upou 
the  surrounding  objects.  The  spring  was  so  much  less  beautiful  than 
many  which  Nellie  had  seen  in  New  England,  that  shu  wa.s  not  very 
profuse  in  its  praise.  As  they  rode  home  an  agreement  wa.s  made 
that  on  some  day  not  far  in  the  future  they  would  ride  up  to  Boua- 
venture  and  sec  that  uni((ue  and  ancient  burying  ground. 

Nellie  was  convinced  that  slav«hoIding  did  not  make  a  master  the 
less  a  man  in  all  the  nobler  element*  of  character.  She  had  found 
a  young  bachelor  who  was  an  intelligent  social  christian,  observing, 
with  scrupulous  regard  all  the  amenities  of  life,  with  a  bearing 
dignified  and  even  noble,  a  heart,  too,  true  and  generous,  a  sensibility 
cultivated  and  refined,  free  from  that  rude  familiarity  which  she  had 
beeu  accustomed  to  see.  In  a  word,  she  had  found  a  man  whom  she 
felt  was  her  superior,  and  for  whom,  to  say  no  more,  she  entertained 
a  profound  respect. 


NELLIE  JfORTON.  61 

Arriving  at  Mr.  Thouipsow's  as  the  sun  went  down,  the  party 
proceeded  up  the  gravelly  walk,  ornamented  with  a  variety  of  beau- 
tiful shrubbery  tastefully  arranged,  while  here  and  there  still  lingered 
on  the  parent  stem  an  autumnal  rose  whose  fragrance  was  not  less 
fresh,  and  whose  odor  was  not  less  sweet  than  when  the  first  bland 
May  morn  vfas  ushered  in  by  the  melody  of  the  forest  songsters. 

Promising  to  call  again  soon  to  enjoy  some  new  pieces  of  music  of 
which  Nellie  had  been  speaking,  Mr.  Mortimer  bid  them  good 
evening  at  the  door,  and  retired. 

The  merits  of  Uncle  Jesse's  sermon  and  the  scenes  at  the  funeral 
were  freely  discussed  at  the  tea  table.  Mr.  Pratt  said  he  had  heard 
many  sermons-  from  ministers  of  finished  education,  which  would 
compare  unfavorably  for  strength  of  argument,  scriptural  illustrations 
and  gospel  purity  with  this,  and  he  was  convinced  under  such  a 
system  of  religious  instruction  the  colored  people  would  not  suffer 
for  the  bread  of  life.  He  added,  "  if  all  slaveholders  were  like 
'mine  hosts,'  the  institution  would  be  much  lees  objectionable  to  my 
mind.     I  would  to  God  every  slave  of  the  South  had  such  a  master." 

"  I  have  found  another  such,"  said  Nellie,  "  in  the  person  of  Mr, 
Mortimer;  and  am  prcpaircd  to  believe  there  are  many  more." 

"I  assure  you,"  said  Mr.  Thompson,  "my  neighbors'  servants, 
as  a  general  thing,  fare  as  well  as  mine,  and  such  is  public  sentiment, 
that  if  a  man  treats  his  servants  with  inhumanity  he  is  mled  out  of 
Kociety,  and  if  that  does  not  efiect  a  reformation  we  apply  the 
"  weightier  matter  of  the  law  "  to  him.  Servants  have  their  rights 
as  well  as  masters,  and  we  are  scrupulously  particular  not  to  infringe 
upon  them.  The  interests  and  rights  of  masters  and  servants  do 
not  conflict,  but  harmonize  ;  they  are  diflferent,  it  is  true,  and  yet  in 
some  sense  they  are  identical.  It  is  like  the  relation  of  the  subject 
and  the  sovereign.  It  is  for  the  welfare  of  the  subject  that  he 
should  be  subordinate  and  virtuous,  honest  and  loyal ;  he  thereby 
])romotes  the  strength  and  perpetuity  of  the  government  which 
protects  him  in  the  enjoyment  of  his  right's,  and  it  gives  him  favor 
with  his  sovereign,  whos^e  good  will  is  not  to  be  lightly  esteemed. 
On  the  other  hand,  it  is  the  interest  of  the  sovereign  to  regard  the 
rights  of  his  .subject",  and,  as  far  as  possible,  promote  their  welfare, 
for  thereby  he  contributes  to  the  strength  and  perpetuity  of  his 
throne,  by  obtaining  a  place  in  the  hearts  of  his  subjects.  He 
makes  it«<hcir  interest  to  support  him,  by  fostercing  their  own 
individual  welfare." 

"  I  have  often  heard  men  at  tho  North,"  said  Mr.  Pratt,  "  speak 


62  NELLIE   NoRTOy. 

of  the  rights  of  slavrp,  but  never  expected  to  hear  it  from  a 
f:>outhcrn  slaveholder.  I  did  not  know  you^recoguisied  the  existence 
of  any  such  f-Mi.  I'niy  toll  me  what  you  consider  to  be  their 
right."." 

"There  are  many  clever  things  at  the  South,"  said  Mr.  T.,  "of 
which  j'ou  ut  the  North  know  nothing,  and  for  the  snp|it).sed  ak^cncc 
of  which  much  odium  is  heaped  upon  u.s.  But  to  the  subject  of 
your  questions.  The  slaves  have  many  rights.  The  right  of  life  and 
limb,  the  right  to  be  (cd  and  clothed,  to  be  nursed  when  sick,  and 
cared  for  in  old  age  when  they  become  helplessly  infirm.  They  are 
rightfully  entitled  to  y>rotection  from  ill  treatment.  They  have  the 
right  to  the  uninterrupted  posi*cssion  of  whatever  they  may  accu- 
mulate by  labor  in  fiieir  owu  time,  or  by  honest  trade,  and  this  is 
universally  awarded  to  them,  although  the  amounts  thusaecumulated 
are  considerable.  They  are  entitled  to  protection  from  the  pernicious 
sentiments  of  abolitionists  which  discontent  them  with  their  present 
condition  by  untruthful  representations,  but  which  do  not  nfford 
them  any  relief,  liut  again,  servants  have  a  right  to  the  "tree 
of  life,"  through  faith  in  our  common  Savior.  They  have  a  right  to 
our  sympathy,  esteem  and  confidence,  and  this  right  they  enjoy  at 
the  South,  but  no  where  else  in  Christendom.  It  is  true  that  the 
rights  ol'  the  negro  are  recognized  nowhere  on  earth  but  in  the 
South,  and  by  no  persons  but  slaveholders.  Not  that  there  is  not  a 
great  dcnl  of  prating  about  "  freedom,  emancipation,  inherent  and 
inalienable  rights,"  and  a  long  catalogue  of  unmeaning  jargon  in  its 
application  to  the  slave  j  but  they  are  despised  and  contemned  and 
driven  hungry  and  naked  a\^ay  I'nun  the  doors  of  those  whose  j)rofes- 
sions  of  sympathy  are  loudest.  Their  Northern  friends  (?)  will 
contribute  money  to  free  them  from  shivery,  but  not  from  hunger, 
cold  and  nakednese.  How  niany  refugees  now  at  the  North  turn 
with  longing  eyes  back  to  the  eomfbrt><  and  privileges  they  enjoyed 
wliile  in  slavery.  But  their  friends  will  neither  help  them  back, 
nor  relieve  them  there." 

When  seated  in  the  parlor,  after  tea,  Mr.  Thompson  referred  to  the 
conversation  of  the  previous  afternoon,  and  said  :  "  I  did  not  reply 
to  all  the  objections  you  urged  against  slavery.  I  will  now  finish 
what  I  then  began.  Your  proposition  was,  that  slavery  annuls  the 
religious  rights  of  the  enslaved,  and  denies  them  the  privileges  of 
moral  and  intellectual  culture.''  • 

"  I  will  withdraw  the  first  part  of  that  proposition,"  said  Mr. 
Pratt.     "  What  I  have  witnessed  of  their  religious  and  moral  culture 


NELLIE   NORTON.  63 

this  day  is  more  convincing  than  any  argument  you  could  produce. 
I  am  convinced  that  on  this  particular  point  the  South  has  been 
misunderstood.  I  hold  to  the  proposition  that  it  denies  them  the 
right  of  intellectual  culture,  and  I  apprehend  you  will  admit  the 
fact." 

"  1  think,"  said  Mr.  T.,  "  I  might  well  hold  you  to  the  proof 
that  such  right  exists.     If  it  does,  from  what  source  is  it  derived  ?  " 

"From  their  common  brotherhood  to  the  human  family,"  said 
Mr.  P.  "  God  has  endowed  all  mer»  with  intelleotual  powers,  and 
holds  them  responsible  for  their  improvement.  Then  it  follows  that 
there  must  be  freedom  to  do  that,  for  the  doing  or  neglecting  of 
which  they  will  be  held  accountable." 

''I  hold,"  said  Mr.  Thompson,  "they  have  no  rights  on  this 
subject  which  are  not  in  entire  /accordance  with  the  obligations 
imposed  by  slavery,  since  in  this  particular  God  made  them  excep- 
tions to  the  common  brotherhood,  entailing  on  them  slavery  with  all 
its  legitimate  consequences.  What  rights  to  intellectual  culture  has 
their  Creator  bestowed  on  them  ?  Go  to  the  land  of  their  fathers 
and  ascertain.  They  have  no  written  language,  no  schools,  no 
teachers,  no  means  for  the  increase  of  knowledge.  God  has  withheld 
these  privileges  from  them  up  to  the  present  time.  They  arc,  as  you 
know,  an  ignorant,  degraded,  indolent  people.  They  have  lain  in 
ignorance  for  thousands  of  years  without  either  the  ability  or  incli- 
nation for  improvement.  More  than  two-thirds  of  the  population  of 
Africa  are  in  the  most  servile  bondage  to  the  other  one-third.  The 
masters  and  slaves  alike  in  the  most  stupid  ignorance.  This  state  of 
universal  ignorance  in  Africa  cannot  be  attributed  to  the  moral  and 
religious  darkness  that  has  settled  as  a  pall  of  blackness  upon  the 
hearts  of  that  people.  Greece  and  Rome  and  Egypt  in  ancient  days, 
and  the  Chinese  at  the  present  time,  with  their  learning,  their 
poetry,  history,  oratory,  arts  and  sciences,  and  yet  all  having  no 
knowledge  of  the  living  God,  prove  most  conclusively  that  intellectual 
improvement  tnay  be  wholly  disconnected  from  moral  and  religious 
culture.  As  this  is  the  only  nation  of  people  who  have  not  advan(^d 
intellectually,  there  is  much  reason  to  believe  they  are  providentially 
an  exception  to  the  general  rule." 

"You  do  not  pretend,"  said  Mr.  P.,  "to  deny  the  glorious  prin- 
ciple asserted  in  the  Declaration  of  Independence :  that  ''  all  men 
are  born  free  and  equal."  This  would  be  a  denial  of  a  fundamental 
principle  of  republican  government.  This  truth  has  thrilled  the 
hearts  of  milliona,  and  called  forth  the  loudest  plaudita  from  enthu- 


64  NELLIK   NORTON. 

siastic  rcpublicuDs.  This  part  of  our  noble  declaration  is  so  cnu> 
nently  true,  that  he  who  denies  it  should  di-ny  iho  utiiiy  ol' our  race, 
1  hope,  therefore,  that  uiy  honorable  host  nil!  not  be  guilty  of  such 
rashness." 

"  1  suppose,  then,"  .said  Mr.  T.,  '' yuu  hold  this  declaration  to  be 
true  without  any  restrictions  or  qualifications.  The  negro  is  as  free 
as  the  American  citizen,  and  is  therefore  his  equal ;  he  is  conse- 
^jucntly  entitled  to  the  elective  franchise,  and  even  more,  to  hold 
any  office  to  which  a  white  man  in  eligible.  A  negro,  therefore,  may 
one  day  be  President  of  these  United  States — his  beautiful  thick- 
lipped  spouse  doing  the  honors  of  the  White  House,  and  graciously 
condescending  to  receive  an  introduction  to,  and  entertuin  your 
wife  and  daughters.  Under  these  circumstances,  the  js'ivcs  and 
daughters  of  your  Congressmen  would  have  to  receive  the  attention 
of  the  7-*resident  and  his  sons,  if  he  bad  any,  and  treat  them  with  nil 
deference  as  equals  or  superiors.  IJut  again,  if  a  negro  is  thus 
equal,  and  therefore  eligible  to- this  high  office,  he  ha.s  the  right  to 
choose  his  (jabiuet,  and  would,  as  we  have  inrariably  done,  select 
them  of  his  own  color.  Now,  my  dear  sir,  would  this  not  be  a 
beautiful  illustration  of  the  doctrine  of  0((uality.  America  ruled  by 
Africa — white  men  ruled  by  negroes — the  enslaved  of  the  Lord 
dictating  to  those  whom  He  made  free.  Verily  your  dogma  would 
turrt*the  world  ''  upside  down,"  annul  the  Divine  order  and  reverse 
the  decrees  of  nature.  Nor  can  you  deny  that  this  is  the  inevitable 
result  of  the  doctrine,  that  all  men  are  born  free  and  equal.  We 
have  always  held  the  theory  abstractly,  but  jiut  it  into  practice  and 
yet  avoid  these  results  if  you  can." 

"What  extremists  you  fc'outhern  people  arc,"  said  iMr.  Pratt.  "  I 
did  not  mean  political  freedom  and.  cijuulity,  but  social,  religious  and 
mental." 

"Then,"  said  Mr.  T.,  ''you  believe  in  social  ecjuality  with  the 
negro,  do  you  ?  You  would  be  plea-^ed  to  have  them  visit  your  wife 
and  daughters  upon  a  social  cciuality:  internuirry  with  them,  have 
tncm  for  your  sons  and  daughtci-s,  amalgamate  the  two  races,  to  one 
of  which  God  has  given  a  white  skin' and  straight  hair,  and  to  the 
other  of  which  he  has  given  a  black  skin  and  woolly  hair.  Thus, 
what  Qod  has  joined  together  you  would  put  asunder,  and  what  ho 
has  put  so  far  asunder  you  would  join  together.  But  pardon  me, 
sir,  if  T  say  you  abolitionists  do  believe  in  the  political  freedom  of 
the  negro,  and  for  its  accomplishment  all  your  abolition  societies 
have  berin  organized,  and  all  your  speeches,  sermons  and  petitions  to 


NELLIE   NORTON.  65 

Congress  made.  W\ty  this  perpetual  cry  against  slavery,  if  it  is  not 
that  you  want  them  freed  in  the  political  sense.  Then,  if  you  be- 
lieve in  universal  freedom  and  equality,  it  must  include  political  as 
well  as  social  freedom.  Howe^"er,  sir,  I  accept  your  limitation,  and 
am  glad  that  you  do  not  believe  in  the  political  freedom  of  the  negro, 
that  you  are  content  to  leave  him  in  political  bondage,  because  he 
has  no  such  right  as  freedom.  He  has  rights,  but  the  elective  fran- 
chise is  not  one  of  them,  as  you  have  very  properly  concluded.  Then 
what  are  his  rights  ?  Dr.  Channing  says  the  slave  '  is  subject  to  the 
community,  and  the  community  has  the  right,  and  is  bound  to  con- 
tinue all  such  restraints,  as  its  own  safety  and  the  well-being  of  the 
slave  demand.'.  Then  what  becomes  of  the  equal  rights  of  the  slave 
according  to  this  celebrated  abolitionist  ?  He  is  not  lo  be  owned  by 
an  individual  nor  controlled  by  one  master,  but  by  many,  poor  fellow, 
by  the  '  community.'  The  community  are  not  to  free  him,  not  to 
restore  to  him  his  lost  but  inalienable  rigiits.  Oh,  no,  it  is  to  *  re- 
strain' him.  The  negroes,  generally,  are  not  fond  of  suchpromiaencc, 
nor  has  experience  taught  them  that  they  fare  better  in  a  community 
who  holds  no  property  in  them,  and  whose  sole  duty  it  is  to  restrain 
them,  than  they  do  in  the  hands  of  a  man  whose  money  they  are, 
and  who  therefore  is  the  vigilant  guardian  of  their  best  interests. 
But  again  Dr.  Channing  say.s,  '  If  he  (the  slave)  cannot  be  induced 
to  work  by  rational  and  natural  motives,  ho  should  be  obliged  to  labor 
*on  the  same  principle  on  which  the  vagrant  in  other  communities  is 
confined  and  oompelled  to  ears  his  bread.'  Poor  fellow,  what  a  foot 
ball  he  would  become  out  of  the  hands  of  his  Southern  master  and 
.sympathiser.  Has  the  '  vagrant  who  is  confined  and  compelled  to 
labor  to  cam  his  biead,'  any  right  to  intellectual  culture?  Who 
confers  it,  and  how  is  it  available?  These  rights  of  the  slave  *  grow 
small  by  degrees  and  beautifully  less'  as  they  get  further  north.  Now 
sir,  to  admit  the  doctrine  of  equal  rights  without  any  restrictions  is 
to  admit  that  every  man  has  an  equal  right  to  the  Presidency  of  these 
United  Stat-cs,  be  he  wise  or  ignorant,  virtuous  or  vicious,  white  or 
black  But  these  conciusions  you  very  wisely  and  prudently  repu- 
diate, and  in  doing  so,  you  virtually  deny  the  premise  from  which 
the  conclusion  is  drawn.  '  The  well-being  of  the  slave'  demands 
certain  restraints.  What  thQse  may  be,  are  best  known  to  those  to 
whom  providence  has  committed  him.  The  Southerners  alone,  of  all 
the  world,  understand  negro  character  and  capacity. 

God  never  designed  them  for  an  intellectual  race.     China,  isolated 
from  the  world  and  degraded  in  idolatry,  has  a  history  and  a  litcra- 
I 


<J6  S'KLLtE   NOKl'OX. 

ture.  She  ha-s  her  philosophers,  her  poets,  her  tAchcrs,  her  gfaduatear, 
her  temples.  But  Africa,  doomed  to  slavery,  has  neither.  Itrnorance, 
stupidity,  imbecilitj,  are  characteristics  of  her  people.  Incapable 
of  self-goveroment  and  self-support,  a  jrracious  providence  has  sent 
them  here  to  find  governors  and  protectors,  who  will  feed  aud  clothe 
them,  and  lead  thoir  Ihearts  and  minds  to  the  knowledge  of  the  living 
God ;  while  they  pay  less  for  the  benefit  than  any  other  set  of  learn- 
ers on  earth. 

The  last  thought  you  gleaned  from  Dr.  Waylaad  i.s  that  "slavery 
restrains  them  from  the   employment  of  their  own  time   for  their 
own  benefit."     In  reply  to  this,  it  is   only  necessary  to  say,  that 
all  experience  and  observation  prove,  that  the  welfare  of  the  negro 
is  best  promoted  when   he  is  under  the  restraints  of  slavery.     No- 
doubt  your  knowledge  of  the  condition  of  the  free  negroes  at  the 
North  confirms  this  assertion.     Most  of  our  slaves"  (and  it  is  so  with 
negroes  everywhere)  work  only  under  the  pressure  of  necessity,  then 
they  do  it  cheerfully;  they  are  only  kept  from  vice,  when  too  busy 
to  go  into  temptation  ;  they  arc  only  kept  from   sinking   back   into 
barbarism  by  contact  with  civilization  and  Christianity  among  their 
masters.     They  are  better  fed,   better  clothed  and  more  contented 
when  in  slavery.     To  prove  the  truth  of  what  I  have  said,  we  have 
only  to  refer  to   the  short  history  of  the  emaneipated  slaves  in  the 
West  Indies.     They  were  left  iu  the  possession  of  a  most  fertile  soil, 
with  all  the  appliances  of  husbandry,  and  the  c  -untry  in  a  high  state 
of  prosperity.     What  is   it  now  i"     Dr.   King  says,  "  the  marks  of 
decay  abound.      Neglected   fields,   crumbling  houses,   fragmentary 
fences,  noiseless  machinery — these  are  common  siglits,  and  soon  be- 
come iamiliar  to  .observation.     I  sometimes  rode  for  miles  in  succes- 
sion over  fertile  ground   which  used  to  be  cultivated,  and  which  is 
now  lying  waste.     So  rapidly  has  cultivation   retrograded,  and  the 
wild  luxuriance  of  nature  replaced  the  conveniences  of  art,   that 
parties  still  inhabiting  these   desolated    districts,  have  sometimes, 
in  the  strong  language  of  a  speaker  in  Kingston  'to  seek  about  the 
bush  to  find  the  entrance  into  their  houses.'     The  towns  present  a 
spcctaele  not  less  gloomy.     A  great  part  of  Kingston  was  destroyed 
some  years  ago,  by  an  extensive  conflagration  ;  yet  multitudea  of  the 
houses  which  escaped  that  visitation  are  standing  empty,  though  the 
population  is  little,  if  at  all  diminished.     The  explanation  is  obvi- 
ous.    Persona  who  have  nothing,  and  can  no   longer  keep  their  do- 
mestic establishments,  take  refuge  in  the  abodes  of  others,  where 
some  means  of  subsistenco  are  still  left,  and  in  the  absence  of  any 


NELLIE   NORTON.  67 

discernable  trade  or  occupation,  the  lives  of  crowded  thousands  ap- 
pear to  be  preserved  from  day  to  day  by  a  species  of  miracle.  The 
most  busy  thoroughfares  of  former  tiiaes  have  now  almost  the  quie- 
tude of  a  Sabbath." 

The  following  is  a  report  signed  by  several  Missionaries  and  made 
in  1849  : 

"  Missionary  efforts  in  Jamaica  are  beset  at  the  present  time  with 
many  and  great  discouragements.  Societies  at  home  have  withdrawn 
or  diminished  the  amount  of  ussistance  afforded  by  them  to  chapels 
and  schools  throughout  this  island.  The  prostrate  condition  of  its 
agriculture  and  couMiierce  disables  its  own  population  from  doing  as 
much  as  formerly  for  maintaining  the  worship  of  God  and  the  tui- 
tion of  the  young,  and  induces  numbers  of  negro  laborers  to  retire 
from  estates  which  have  been  thrown  up,  to  seek  the  means  of  sub- 
sistence in  the  mountains,  where  they  are  removed  in  general  from 
moral  training  and  superintendence.  The  consequences  of  this  state 
of  matters  are  very  disastrous.  Not  a  few  Missionaries  and  teachers, 
after  struggling  with  difficulties  which  they  could  not  overcome, 
have  returned  to  Europe,  and  others  are  preparing  to  follow  them. 
Chapels  and  schools  are  abandoned,  or  they  have  passed  into  the 
hamls  of  very  incompetent  instructors.  H.  C.  Gary  says,  'population 
gradually  diminishes,  furnishing  another  evidence  that  the  tendency 
of  everything  is  adverse  to  the  progress  of  civilization.  In  1841 
the  island  contained  a  little  short  of  400,000  persons.  In  1844  the 
census  returns  gave  about  380,000.'  " 

The  history  of  emancipation  in  South  Africa  is  accompanied  by 
the  same  sad  results.  While  there  is  no  population  on  earth,  the 
rates  of  whose  increase  is  greater  than  our  slaves,  yet  in  those  locali- 
ties where  they  have  been  deprived  of  the  fostering  care  of  masters 
and  the  blessing  of  slavery,  they  deteriorate  in  character  and  de- 
crease in  numbers  with  fearful  rapidity.  There  can  be  no  reason- 
able doubt  but  that  slaves  are  the  most  intelligent  of  the  negro 
race  ;  and  the  reasons  arc  obvious.  As  a  rule  they  have  not  intel- 
lects susceptible  of  much  cultivation — very  seldom,  if  ever,  do  you 
find  a  really  striking  character — they  must  necessarily  learn  by  con- 
tact and  observation,  and  these  means  of  information  must  be  avail- 
able constantly.  Their  contact  and  association  with  the  superior 
minds  of  the  Anglo  Saxon  race,  throws  upon  their  darkened  minds 
a  flood  of  light,  some  of  the  rays  of  which  they  cannot  but  retain. 
But  take  them  away  from  the.se  influences  and  let  them  associate 
only  with  their  own  race,  and  all  the  history  of  the  past — the  history 


68  NELLIE  NORTON. 

of  Africans  for  all  post  time,  prove  there  is  no   progress,  cither  in 
minds  or  morals.     Theories  are  sonictinics  very  beautiful,  and  no 
doubt  but  to  the  mind  of  an    enthasinstic  abolitionist,  the  theory  of 
emancipation  presents  nothing  for  the  slave  but  a  bright  progressive 
future,  the  development  of  a  great  and  rcligiouj'  race  which  shall 
blcps  the  world  in  some  future  age.     l)ut  "facts  are  stubborn  things," 
and  often  destroy  the  mojH  beautiful  and  plausable  theory.     From 
the  facts  to  which  we  have  referred,   we   may  justly  conclude,  that 
what  freed  rIuvcs  ha/e  done  in  .Tain:«ica   and  South  Africa  they  will 
do  everywhere  under  the  same  circumstances.      I  therefore  conclude 
that  God  never  designed   they  should  enjoy  the  rights  of  freemen ; 
indeed  unless    they  should  be   remodeled   mcnLilIy  and  morally   it 
would   be  the  greatest  curse  that  could  befall   them.     How   many 
promising  boys  have  been  ruined  by  being  freed  from  parental  re- 
straints at  too  early  an  age.     Just  so  it  -would  be,  because  it  always 
has  been,  with   the  negro.     God  gave  the  parent  authority  over  the 
child,  because  it  was  for  the  child's  good,  and  so  He  gave  the  master 
authority  over  the  slave  for  his  good.     No  man  has  a  right  to  free- 
dom when  its  exercise  is  injurious  to  the  community,  or  if  he  has, 
there  is  a  right  vested  in  the  community  to  restrain  that  freedoni 
within  such  limits  as  will  insure  benefi-s  to  enure  to  the  individual 
or  the  public  or  both.     Negro  freedom  here  would  engender  vice, 
degradation,  vagrancy,  penury,  starvation,  thelY,  murder,  niobocraey, 
and  every  form  of  evil  which  could  possibly  be  imagined,  and  would 
ultimately   terminate   in  the  extermination  of   the  blacks  by  the 
whites  or  by  starvation.     Nominal   slavery   cannot   exist   here,  be- 
cause it  would  be  unprofitable  to  the  owner,  and  therefore  reduce 
the  slave   to  want.     Nothing  is  pnicticable  but  absolute  slavery, 
modified  by  Christianity  and  the  laws  of  the  land.     This  results  in  a 
mutual   interest  and   affection   between   the  master  and  the  slave. 
The  master's  interest  demands  kind   and  humane  treatment  to  his 
slave,   who  in   his  turn   claims  the  gratitude  and  wins  the  love  of 
the  dependen^." 

"  You  do  not  think  that  a  slave  has  really  any  affection  for  a  man 
who  holds  him  in  bondage,  do  you  ?"  said  Mr.  Pratt. 

"  I  can  answer  that  question  for  you,"  said  Nellie.  "  I  tried  to 
get  uncle's  carriage  driver  to  go  back  home  with  mother  and  myself 
on  our  return  north,  but  he  said  he  would  not,  unless  .his  rnaster 
and  mistress  would  go  too,  and  stated  as  a  reason  that  he  loved  them 
too  well  to  leave  them.  1  have  talked  to  several  others  in  the  same 
way,  and  invariably  received  the  same  answer.     I  am  convinced  that 


NELLIE   NORTON.  69 

they  do  not  feel  slavery  to  be  a  bondage,  Hut  are  satisfied  and  happy, 
and  instead  of  feeling  that  their  mastefs  are  their  oppressors,  they 
look  upon  them  as  benefactors.  The  tears  that  are  shed  over  slavery 
and  the  prayers  offered  for  its  bonds  to  be  broken,  are  not  by  the 
enslaved,  but  by  us,  their  misguided  and  less  informed'friends  at  the 
north." 

"  I  will  give  you  this  permission,"  said  Mr.  Thompson  to  Mr. 
Pratt,  "  you  may  go  among  my  negroes,  and  represent  facts  and 
fiction  to  them,  and  if  you  find  one  who  will  go  with  you  home,  I 
will  defray  all  the  expense  of  going,  and  you  shall  support  him  at 
the  north  until  you  get  him  into  a  business  where  he  can  support 
himself,  and  when  he  has  tried  freedom  for  one  year,  if  he  desires 
to  return  to  slavery,  you  shall  see  that  his  desire  is  granted  at  my 
expense.  The  latter  item  I  would  incur  from  sympathy  and  human- 
ity, knowing  he  would  be  unhappy  where  he  met  with  neither  friends 
nor  sympathisers." 

"  I  wonder,"  said  Mrs.  Thompson,  "if  you  gentlemen  will  never 
get  off  your  stilts.  You  really  don't  recognize  our  presence,  much 
less  address  us  a  social  word,  nor  has  either  of  us  been  able  to  get 
in  a  word  edgewise  to  night.  Cant  you  play  the  agreeable  for  a 
little  while — just  a  little  while?  We  would  feel  complimented,' 
honored,  even  flattered  by  a  little  notice  from  gentlemen  so  cultiva- 
ted and  intellectual.  Come  gentlemen,  do  give  us  a  short  opportu- 
nity to  express  ourselves.  You  have  certainly  forgotten  that  the 
ladies  esteem  it  quite  a  deprivation  to  sit  a  whole  evening  in  silence — 
.'juch  a  thing  is  intolerable.  You  lords  of  creation  must  be  a  little 
more  condescending  :  won't  you  ?" 

"  Excuse  us   ladies,"  said  Mr.   Pratt,  "  it  is  not  often  I  meet  a 
slaveholder,  or  my  friend  an  abolitionist,  and  we  only  wished  to  in- 
terchange views  on   the  subject.     I  was  endeavoring  to  teach  Mr. 
*  T.,  and   be  trying  to  prove  to  me  that  he  knew  more  than   I,  who 
proposed  to  become  teacher.     I  desired  to  convince  him  that  slavery 

was  an' evil,  but  he  has  convinced  Nellie,  at  least,  that  it  is 

religiously  right.  But  to  your  theme  :  did  you  ever  hear  of  the 
lady  that  was  so  fond  of  talking  that  she  held  a  conversation  with  a 
snake,  out  in  the  orchard  ?  " 

"  No  indeed,"  said  Mrs.  T.,  "I  regret  that  one  of  ray  sex  has  so 
far  lost  her  dignity  as  thus  to  condescend;  or  perhaps  1  ought  not 
to  condemn  her,  for  she  may  have  been  some  unfortunate  widow  who 
had  lost  her  husband,  or  some  old  maid  who  never  had  one,  and  in 
either  event,  one  might  be  excused  for  talking  to  almost  anything, 


70  NELLIE   NORTON, 

rather  than  to  be  forever  silent.  An  apple  orchard  was  indeed  a 
poor  place,  and  a  snake  a  very  unpromisiug  subjeet,  but  '  necessity 
knows  no  law.'  " 

'<  I  suppose,"  said  Nellie,  "  Mother  Kve  was  the  lady,  Satan  the 
.snake,  and  the  garden  of  Eden  the  apple  orchard." 

"  What  a  wit  you  arc,"  said  Mr.  P.,  "you  had  better  set  yourself 
up  as  a  candidate  for  tutor  in  a.>Jirolo{ry,  couundruu)8,  enigmas,  &c., 
and  have  us  elect  you  as  general  expounder  of  abstruse  science." 

"Thank  you  sir,  I  covet  no  such  distinction,"  said  Nellie,  "and 
when  our  wiseacres  learn  to  state  their  j  roblcuis  a  little  more  glearly, 
the  office  you  propose  to  create  may  well  be  dispensed  with." 

The  conver.sition  became  general  and  social;  but  Nellie's  mind 
being  ab.sorbed  uith  other  thoughts,  she  excused  herself  and  retired 
to  the  room.  Her  cousin  Alice,  a  uiisa  of  thirteen  years,  had  just 
mastered  her  lesson  for  the  next  day,  and  laid  down  her  books  as 
Nellie  entered. 

"  Alice,"  said  Nellie,  "  I  wish  you  had  spent  one  summer  north 
before  I  came  south." 

"  Why,  cousin  ?  "  said  Alice. 

"  Because,"  said  Nellie,  "  I  want  to  talk  with  you  about  the  dif- 
ference in  society  and  manners  there  and  here." 

"  As  I  am  only  a  learner  anyhow,"  said  Alice,  "  I  will  be  very 
glad  to  hear  you  talk  about  your  society  at  home.  It  will  be  very 
interesting  toiiie.  l)o  tell  me  all  about  it,  my  dear  cousin.  I  will 
listen  to  every  word,  and  noi  get  sleepy." 

•*  I  don't  care  to  talk  so  mueh  about  northern  society,  as  to  t«ll 
you  how  mueh  1  am  disappointed  in  southern  society,"  said  Nellie. 
*'  1  thought  southei'u  slave-holders  were  an  ignorant,  rude,  bigoted, 
uncultivated  and  .cruel  people,  who  delighted  in  oppressing  and 
tyraniiiziug  over  their  slaves,  and  treating  them  as  brutes.  I  thought 
they  took  pleasure  in  punishing  them  and  at  witnessing  their  suffer- 
ings; that  tliey  were  destitute  of  the  conimou  feelings  of  humanity, 
and  never  sympathised  with  the  sufferings  of  their  slaves.  I  con- 
ceived them  to  be  a  proud,  haughty,  illiterate  people  generally;  too 
ignorant  to  know  their  own  deficiencies.  But  I  am  happily  disap- 
pointed. I  find  slave-holders  intelligent,  many  highly  cultivated 
and  intellectual — men  of  superior  general  intelligence,  refined, 
polite,  genteel.  I  find  them  to  be  men  of  highly  refined  sensibili- 
ties and  tender  sympathies — patterns  of  unselfishness.  I  have  often 
been  surprised  that  uncle  could  obtain  his  consent  to  make  it  his 
permanent  home  and  rear  his  children  ajnong  semi-barbarians,  as 


NELLIE  NORTON.  71 

you  all  have  been  represented  to  be  by  our  abolition  speakers  and 
writers.  But  to  my  surprise,  I  find  southern  character  superior, 
absolutely  superior  to  northern  character.  I  make  this  confession 
with  uniei'^ued  mortification,  and  would  not  do  it  elsewhere,  and  yet. 
one  should  not  be  ashamed  or  afraid  of  the  truth.  There  is  a  great- 
ness of  soul,  an  independence  of  character,  a  di<:;nity  of  mien,  a 
purity  of  thought,  a  manliness  of  carriage,  an  unselfishness  of  heart, 
so  happily  blended  with  unostcntation  and  softness  of  deportment,  so 
manly  and  yet  so  modest,  so  intelligent,  and  yet  so  free  from  pe- 
dantry, I  must  say  that  southern  character  claims  my  most  profound 
admiration.  There  is  no  petty  tyranny  here — no  brutality — no 
such  oppression  as  I  have  been  taught  to  believe  universally  pre- 
vailed arfiong  slave-holders.  The  line  which  marks  the  distinction 
between  master  and  servant  is  must  apparent,  and  yet  the  master  does 
not  lord  it  over  his  servant  as  I  supposed.  lie  does  not  abuse  his 
power,  but  it  is  exerted  in  a  kind,  generous,  condescending  manner. 
He  is  a  kind  and  amiable  prince,  who  loves  his  subjects  and  is  in- 
terested in  the  happiness  and  welfare  of  each  one,  not  only  because 
they  are  his  property,  but  he  really  takes  pleasure  in  their  happiness. 

"I  am  reminded  of  Jacob,  whose  paternal  care  extended  to  the 
remotest  and  smnllest  member  of  tljc  family.  I  tell  you,  cousin, 
such  an  interest  in  the  welfare  of  laborers  at  thu  north,  if  it  exists  at 
all,  is  the  exception,  not  the  rule.  When  a  man  there  is  well  and 
does  his  work  faithfully,  hi.'^  wages  arc  paid  regularly,  but  when  he 
gets  sick,  or  grows  old  and  helples.«,  ho  is  turned  off  without  a 
thought  as  to  his  necessities.  ITe  has  no  more  claims  on  his  master. 
And  even  while  at  labor,  the  intercourse  between  the  employer  and 
jiiborer  is  not  half  so  free  and  unrestrained,  as  here  between  the 
negro  and  bis  master.  There  is  a  total  absence  generally  of  that 
kind  feeling  so  universally  observed  here.  I  attribute  this  to  the 
much  hated  and  slandered  institution  of  slavery.  There  is  some- 
thing about,  it  don't  know  what,  it  is  a  mystery  to  me,  that  exerts  a 
most  favorable  influence  over  your  southern  society.  I  have  been 
highly  gratified  to  find  an  absence  of  that  little  picayunish  disposi- 
tion and  that  low  sen.sualism  so  distressingly  prevalent  in  northern 
society,  and  the  rapid  growth  of  which  threatens  the  overthrow  of 
all  good.  Father  has  often  spoken  of  that  dreadful  tcndtmcy  in  our 
society  at  home,  and  thinks  it  portends  much  evil  in  the  future.  I  do 
wish  he  would  come  south  and  live,  I  am  so  fascinated  with  southern 
society  and  manners." 

Nellie  happened  to  cast   her  eye  towards   the  side  table,  and  saw 


72  NELLIB  NORTON. 

"Treasured  Moments,  by  SawtcU."  She  took  it  up,  and  it  opened 
at  the  first  letter  on  slavery.  Finding  he  was  a  New  Englander,  she 
concluded  to  see  what  he  had  written.     iShe  read  aloud  to  Aliee: 

**  The  object  of  this  letter  is  .simply  (u  correct  some  erroneous 
imprcshions  as  to  the  real  character  of  slavery  in  this  country.  The 
prevailing  impression  at  the  north  is,  that  the  cruel  treatment  of  tho 
slave,  and  his  consequent  sufferinfrs,  are  such  as  to  demand  his  im- 
mediate and  unconditional  emancipation.  This  is  one  of  the  most 
cogent  rc:isons  urged  why  we  should  take  no  time  to  consult  the 
future  good  and  interests,  either  of  the  master  or  of  the  slave.  And 
to  deepen  the  impression,  the  most  frightful  pictures  of  sufferings 
and  cruelty  have  been  drawn,  and  held  up  to  the  imagination  till  the 
heart  has  become  sick,  and  the  very  name  slave  is  associated  in  tho 
njind  with  all  the  horrors  of  the  "  middle  pas.sage  "  and  the  racks 
and  tortures  of  the  intjuisition.  Now,  with  all  due  respect  to  tho 
opinions  of  others,  I  do  know  that  such  impressions  arc  not  in  ac- 
cordance with  facts.  On  this  subject  southern  character  is  either 
not  understood,  or  gros.sly,  though  1  would  hope,  unintentionally 
misrepresented.  Bold  and  chivalrous  as  is  a  southern  man  in  con- 
test with  his  equals,  nothing  is  more  despicable  in  his  eyes  than  a 
petty  tyrant,  who  exhibits  his  powers  only  in  inflicting  wrongs  and 
injuries  upon  the  belplc«.s  and  iinprotectcd.  Naturally  high-minded, 
noble  and  generous  in  feelings  and  sentiments,  he  i.s  found  magnan- 
imous and  kind  in  .spirit  towards  his  dependents." 

As  a  general  fact,  I  doubt  whether  there  can  be  found  a  cla.ss  of 
people  in  the  world  that  suffer  less,  mentally  or  physically,  than  tho 
colored  population  of  the  South.  None  who  have  fewer  can^  ami 
troubles,  who  wear  happier  faces,  are  more  jovial  and  merry,  and 
who  sing  louder  and  sweeter  than  they.  For  the  truth  of  thi.x,  I 
appeal  to  every  man  who  has  visited  the  South,  and  examined  this 
subject  for  himself  with  an  unprejudiced  and  impartial  mind.  Kx- 
ception,'-  1  know  there  are,  but  the.se  no  more  prove  tho  general  truth 
on  this  subject,  than  do  tho  convicts  in  the  penitentiaries  of  New 
England  prove  thai  all  the  old  Puritans  of  that  land  of  steady  habits 
are  grinding  in  the  prison  hou.se.  Ilenoe,  when  a  Northern  man 
enters  the  Southern  States  for  the  first  time,  and  witnesses  the  famili- 
arity and  kindness  between  master  and  servant,  he  exclaims  with 
wonder,  '  where  are  the  long  whips,  the  scourges,  the  groans  and 
tears  of  which  I  have  heard  so  much '{ '  And  ollen  have  I  seen  tho 
tear  start  in  the  stranger's  eye  at  beholding  the  ccstacy  of  joy  with 
which  the  dependents  gather  around  their  master  on  his  return  from 


KKLLIE  KORTOK.  TS 

&  long  absieiice,  seizing  his  hand  and  seeming  to  vie  with  each  othei" 
in  manifesting  their  love  and  attachment  to  him.  " 

"  Enough,  "  said  Nellie,  as  she  threw  down  the  book,  "  how 
singularly  coincident  are  the  results  of  his  and  my  observation. 
Henceforth  I  shall  refuse  to  join  in  the  abolition  cry  against  the 
South.  Indeed,  I  will  frown  upon  it  as  a  wicked  and  malicious 
slander.  It  is  really  provoking  to  think  how  I  have  always  been 
deceived — how  gullible  we  poor  Northern  dupes  are.  Our  poli- 
ticians, editors  and  preachers  take  us  by  the  nose  and  lead  us  where 
they  please.  Henceforth  I  will  think  for  myself,  always  taking  the 
Bible  for  my  guide.  " 

"  I  tell  you,  cousin,  the  negroes  at  the  North  are  a  down-trodden 
race ;  they  are  ignorant,  mean,  degraded,  vicious,  abandoned.  Every 
man's  hand  is  against  them  j  no  one  respects  or  esteems  them,  if 
they  can  avoid  it.  They  profess  great  love  for  the  poor  slave,  but 
they  are  a  nation  of  negro  haters ;  and  you  have  only  to  be  there 
and  see  for  yourself  to  know  that  I  speak  the  truth.  I  do  think 
you  Southerners  have  much  more  reason  to  pity  the  free  negroes  at 
the  North,  than  we  have  to  sympathize  with  your  slaves.  I  would 
ten  thousand  times  prefer  to  be  a  slave  in  Georgia,  than  a  free  negro 
in  Massachusetts.  They  are  more  respected,  better  cared  for,  and 
almost  infinitely  happier  here  than  there.  " 

Nellie  discovering  her  young  cousin's  eyes  were  growing  rather 
heavy,  suggested  they  had  better  retire,  to  which  Alice  most  cheer- 
fully asf«ented,  and  was  soon  lost  in  refivshing  sleep.  But  Nellie's 
mind  was  full  of  ideas,  and  her  heart  of  impressions.  She  thought 
of  the  elevated  Christian  character,  the  manly  dignity,  the  superior 
intelligence,  and  the  amiable,  affectionate  disposition  of  her  new 
friend,  with  whom  she  had  spent  the  afternoon  so  pleasantly.  "  I 
Wonder  if  he  is  a  genuine,  true  man.  Yes,  he  must  be ;  I  cannot 
be  deceived  in  him  :  he  is  too  transparent,  too  guileless,  there  is  no 
asRumacy  about  him,  he  is  certainly  a  gentleman  of  unuflual  moral 
worth.  He  seems  timid,  and  yet  very  graceful;  he  is  dignified,  and 
yet  has  the  suavif^r  in  mocfo,  as  though  he  had  been  the  pupil  of 
Chesterfield.  He  is  not  at  all  pharisaical,  and  yet  it  is  evident  he  is 
a  true  Christian.  There  is  no  religious  cant  about  him,  and  yet  he 
speaks  as  a  man  familiar  with  holy  subjects.  He  has  none  of  the 
pedant  about  him,  yet  he  is  certainly  a  finely  educated  and  well  read 
man.  His  mind  is  well  stored  with  useAil  knowledge,  and  yet  he 
claims  no  superiority  over  any  -one.  He  is  certainly  a  model  charac- 
ter— wish  I  had  such  a  man  for  a  hush,  foolish  heart — but 

J 


74  NELLIE  NORTON. 

how  I  would  esteem  and  love  him.  Oh,  1  would  be  so  happy !  I 
intend  to  study  hia  beautiful  and  exalted  character — I  think  the 
study  will  be  quite  as  fascinatio};  to  uic  as  was  that  of  Hotany, 
especially  if  1  come  in  as  frequent  contact  with  him  as  I  di_d  with 
flowers."  Sweet  girl !  there  were  visions  flittinji  alone;  her  future 
path,  "  the  beauty  of  which,  like  jewels,  too  rich  to  be  exported, 
were  not  conveyable  by  expression  to  mortal  fancy.  " 

The  next  morning  the  gentlemen  rode  over  the  farm.  When  on 
approaching  the  "  cotton-pickers  "  Mr.  Thompson  suggested  to  Mr. 
P.  "  that  now  was  his  time  to  make  the  experiment  of  a  slave'H 
anxiety  to  throw  off  the  shackles  of  bondage  and  accompuny  him  to 
the  land  of  Ircedom.  "  Mr.  T.  therefore  rode  another  way  to  where 
some  hands  were  ploughing  in  wheat,  while  Mr.  Pratt  rode  up  to  the 
foremost  cotton  picker,  and  alighting  from  his  horse  and  walking  up 
very  near,  the  following  colloquy  took  place: 
'«  Howdy,  uncle.  What  is  your  name  ?  " 
"  Jerry,  your  sarbant,  ga.  " 

"  Well,  Jerry,  your  master  has  agreed  to  give  you  your  freedom  if 
you  will  go  home  with  me.  As  1  know  you  want  to  be  free,  I  am 
glad  of  being  the  bearer  of  such  happy  intelligence.  There  is  no 
mistake  about  it,  you  are  free  to  go  home  with  me,  and  we  have  no 
slaves  at  the  North,  all  are  free  alike  there.  You  will  be  as  free  a.s 
I  or  any  one  else.  Now,  as  your  master  has  consented,  you  must  not 
refuse,  but  be  ready  in  a  lew  weeks.*" 

"  Who  say  bo  't  Mas  George  say  I  niuit  go  wid  you  ?  Dis  nigga 
hab  dc  cousiderashun  ob  de  objection.  " 

"  Why,  don't  you  want  to  be  free  ?  You  c-an  then  work  for  your- 
self and  have  all  you  make.  " 

"  Eh,  hab  all  he  make.     IIow  he  gwino  to  ujake  any  ting  ?  " 
"  Work  for  it,  to  be  sure.     '  Ye  shall  cam  your  bread  by  the  sweat 
of  your  brow, '  is  the  Bible  rule  since  the  fall.  " 

"  You  make  nigga  free,  and  den  make  hiiy  work  too.  Plenty 
work  here  widout  gwine  home  wid  you.  " 

"  Yes,  but  then  you  can  be  free  and  do  as  you  please.  You  all 
ought  to  be  free.  God  made  you  so,  and  you  would  be  better  off  in 
many  respects.  Y^'ou  could  th^n  go  to  church  when  you  wanted  to, 
have  your  own  property  around  you,  and  send  your  children  to 
school,  and  give  them  an  education.  You  don't  know  how  muob 
happier  you  would  be  if  you  were  free.  Now  you  must  not  refuse 
to  go  home  with  me,  since  I  have  been  so  kind  as  to  get  your 
master's  coDsent. " 


NELLIE   NORTON.  76 

"  I  hab  great  considerashun  for  respect  ob  your  feelins  massa,  but 
de  colored  folks,  sir,  is  peculiar.  Dey  needs  de  considerashun  ob  de 
everdence  to  sbow  unto  dem  de  ducement''  of  freedom.  Work  is 
work.  If  I  hab  to  work  when  I  free,  and  I  hab  to  work  when  I  no 
free,  you  see  I  no  hab  the  everdence  ob  de  vantage.  Mas  George  gib 
me  good  home  and  plenty  to  eat  and  put  on,  and  Sunday  close  too.  I 
go  to  church  ebry  Sunday,  and  prayer  mcetin'  twixt  times ;  and  I  be 
happy,  too,  tank  God,  for  he  mighty  good  and  merciful  to  colored 
folks.  " 

"  Well,  then,  you  prefer  slavery,  do  you  ?  Had  you  rather  stay 
here,  and  be  a  poor  slave  all.  your  life,  and  work  for  your  master,  than 
go  home  with  me  and  be  free  ?  " 

"  I  is'nt  molishu.s  nor  onconsiderate  on  dis  present  occasion ;  de 
.subjick  strikes  berry  much  at  de  anxiety  ob  de  cullud  folks  ginelly ; 
but  I  hab  peculiar  purswashun  on  dis  case.  I  gwine  to  stay  wid 
Mas  George  and  Miss  Penny.  " 

"  You  don't  want  to  be  happy  as  a  freeman,  then  !  " 

*'  Ah,  Massa  !  jfou  tink  freedum  gwine  to  make  de  cullud  folks 
happy.  Dis  is  not  de  konsiquence.  J$,  de  tribulation  what  makes 
him  happy.  He  want  what  is  perspicus  to  de  feelins.  He  wants  de 
Lord  to  send  and  descend  and  condescend  wid  his  sperit,  and  cause- 
to  turn  and  return  and  overturn,  and  make  his  heart  to  joice  and 
rejoice  and  overjoice.  He  want  de  Lord  to  lift  up  de  lily  white  vail, 
open  de  dormur  windows  ob  heben,  wave  back  do  dark  curtins,  drop 
his  frown  behin'  de  mountin,  and  take  a  peep  ober  into  de  camps  ob 
Israel.  Den,  sa,  de  tribulation  ob  de  occasion  will  be  berry  much 
wid  de  anxiety  ob  de  cullud  folks,  and  dey  will  break  down  at  de 
foot  ob  de  cross  ob  calvar^'^  and  be  happy.  Dis,  sa,  is  de  perspicus 
consequence  ob  de  sensible  observation.  " 

The  disgusted  clergyman  mounted  his  horse  and  rode  away  to 
meet  his  friend,  soliloquising  as  he  went  on  the  power  of  habit  and 
the  evils  of  slavery.  Meeting  with  Mr.  Thompson,  he  announced 
the  failure  of  his  mission  with  Jerry,  and  received  the  assurance  of 
the  master,  that  the  result  would  have  been  the  same  with  any  othor 
of  his  ocgroes. 


XILLIE   NORTON. 


CHAPTER  VI 


A  ufir  Scripturr  affai'nst  S/'ircri/~-~Jts  wisapplirntKin — ( punmt  of 
an  Enijlish  \critfr —  Gud  usts  tin-  iiislttntiou  uf  Siuvi'rji/  as  an 
ilbistration  of  Truth. 

TlfE  next  day  was  sjient  by  Nellie  in  writin;^  letters  to  her  New 
Encland  friond.s.  But  "a  change  Imd  come  over  the  spirit  of  her 
dream"  on  the  subject  of  slavery,  and  doubtless  her  sentiroentg 
sounded  strangely  to  her  New  England  friends,  ns  coming  from  a  des- 
cendant of  the  Puritans.  She  whi.spered  in  strict  confidence  to  u 
special  friend,  the  name  "  Mortimer,  "  and  spoke  of  the  plen.sure 
she  enjoyed  the  day  previous  in  his  society.  Completing  the  last 
letter,  she  entered  the  parlor,  and  fiudicg  her  aunt  alone,  sat  down 
near  her.  After  a  short  pause,  she  said,  "  Aunt,  why  has  Mr.  Mor- 
timor  remained  a  bachelor  so  long  ?  Is  he  a  misanthrope,  or  is  he 
waiting  for  his  dulcinea  to  ooniplete  her  education  V 

'*  Neither,  I  presume,  "  said  her  aunt,  "  He  will  never  marry 
simply  to  escape  the  odium  of  being  a  bachelor.  Ho  is  a  man  of 
taste  and  judgment,  and  will  only  marry  when  he  thinks  he  has 
found  a  true  woman.  Ho  is  not  a  sliallow-brained  ex(]uisite,  to 
whom  life  is  a  dream  and  marrying  a  frolic,  and  the  future  a  path  of 
perennial  flowers.  He  desires  intelligence.  rcBnement,  neatness, 
good  sense,  economy  and  a  pure  hoart,  nil  combined.  He  is  only 
waiting  to  find  such  a  one,  and  be  will  offer  her  a  home,  which  he  will 
render  most  attractive  and  happy,  and  a  heart  as  pure,  noble,  true 
and  generous  as  ever  throbbed  in  man's  bosom.  But  why  do  you 
ask  about  him,  my  sweet  neice,  h&n  he  touched  a  cord  in  your 
heart?" 

"  0,  you  know,  aunt,  it  is  natural  fur  young  ladies  to  want  to 
know  all  about  those  with  whom  they  associate.  I  agree  with  you, 
however,  that  he  is  a  very  sensible  gentleman,  very  graceful  in  his 
manners,  and  fluent  in  conversation.  I  know  of  no  man  who  has 
more  power  to  charm  and  fascinate  than  he,  and  yet  he  seems  all 
unconscious  of  his  merit." 

"  I  shall  be  pleased  to  have  him  for  a  nephew,"  said  Mrs.  T. 
"Nellie  Mortimer;  why  it  would  bo  really  a  romantic  name." 

Nellie  blushed  and  left  the  room. 

After   te»  the  family  again   being  assembled   in  the  parlor,  Mr. 


NELLIE   NORTON.  77 

Pratt  took  up  the  Bible  and  remarked  :  '*  You  have  said  during  our 
conversations  that  not  one  word  was  said  by  Prophets,  Apostles,  or 
by  the  Great  Redeemer  against  slavery,  and  challenged  the  world  to 
disprove  it.  Now  I  am  a  very  small  part  of  the  world,  but  [  accept 
your  banter.  I  will  prove  that  the  Prophet  Isaiah  enjoins  the 
emancipation  of  slaves,  as  a  prerequisite  to  an  acceptable  fast,  to  a 
successCui  approach  to  an  offended  Deity.  I  will  read  from  chapter 
58  :  6 — "Is  not  this  the  fast  that  I  have  chosen,  to  loose  the  bauds 
of  wickedness,  to  undo  the  heavy  burdens,  and  to  let  the  oppressed 
go  free,  and  that  ye  break  every  yoke."  Now,  sir,  here  are  threo 
expressions  which  apply  to  slavery  :  1.  "  Undo  the  heavy  burdens;  " 
2.  "  Let  the  oppressed  go  free;"  o.  "  Ereak  every  yoke."  What 
burden  is  heavier  than  slavery?  Who  are  oppressed  if  not  the 
slave  ?  Where  is  a  yoke,  if  it  is  not  found  upon  the  necks  of  slaves  ? 
Until  you  undo  those  burdens,  liberaro  thefe  opprest^ed,  and  break 
these  yokes,  all  efforts  at  an  approach  to  God  in  confession  and 
reverence  are  unacceptable.  But  you  have  not  done  so;  therefore 
your  fasts  have  been  an  abomination  in  His  sigh^^Q^Ye  exact  all 
your  labors."  Now  as  you  have  not  broken  the.  j^^^j  ^,and  let  the 
oppressed  go  free,  you  are  still  in  rebellion  again's.;^the  high  and 
holy  authority  of  heaven  which  commands  it.  Naw,  sir,  as  an 
honest  man,  and  a  christian,  confess  your  ein,  forsake  your  way,  and 
obey  the  Almighty,  that  you  may  obtain  pardon  for  this  great 
iniquity,  for  I  perceive  wrath  is  coming  upon  you."  ' 

"  I  thank  you  for  the  exhortation  and  kind  interest  for  our 
deliverance  from  Divine  wrath,  which  you  manifest,"  said  Mr.  T. 
"  If  I  find  your  exegesis  of  the  Divine  word  correct,  I  will  endeavor 
to  profit  by  it,  for  I  desire  to  be  not  only  a  hearer,  but  a  doer  of  the 
word.  You  dogmatize  very  flippantly,  I  must  confess,  but  invariably 
fail  in  moral  demonstration.  You  assert  in  a  very  positive  and 
solemn  manner,  but  never  prove  what  you  as.«ert,  and  I  must  again 
repeat,  that  you  possess  the  most  remarkable  taot  of  any  polemic 
whom  I  have  met,  for  taking  as  granted  the  very  point  that  must  be 
proved.  I  fear  it  is  an  infirmity  vith  you  Northern  theoloeians  to 
take  superficial  views  of  solemn  subjects.  You  assert  that  three 
expressions  in  the  text  quoted  apply  to  slarery,  and  in  proof  thereof 
you  reassert  it.  The  oniu  pmhandi  rests  upon  you  ;  but  I  waive  all 
rights  in  the  premises,  and  I  will  attempt  at  leaat  to  show  what  this 
Scripture  means.     Let  us  go  back  a  little. 

The  laws  of  Moses  abounded  in  commaijdments  embodying  the 
spirit  of  love.     Mercy,  kindness,  oomptssion  and  beneficence  were 


78  NELLIE   NORTON. 

duties  enjoined  by  that  model  code.  Tlieso  vrQ.-e  civon.  not  alone  as 
evidences  of  the  Divine  character  of  the  Great  Law  Giver,  but  also 
as  rules  of  life  to  be  observed  by  all  the  people.  For  the  disobe- 
dience to  these  and  other  IHvinc  injuuclion.«,  the  prophet  was 
sent  to  rebuke  and  reform  the  j)eoj)le.  The  hand  of  God  had 
inflicted  severe  chastisements  upon  them,  and  they  were  exhorted 
by  Tsaiah  to  repentance,  fastiuir  and  prayer.  They  seem  to  say  in 
reply  tq  him,  ''  we  have  repented,  and  we  have  fa.'itcd  and  mourned 
and  worn  sack  cloth,  and  yet  the  punishment  has  not  been  with- 
drawn ;  we  bare  afflicted  our  soul:',  and  thou  takest  no  knowledge  of 
it.*'  Then  the  holy  man  of  God  shows  them  their  ermr.  Repents 
ance  was  not  of  the  lips,  nor  was  mourning  in  the  wail  of  the  voice. 
"  lie  hold  in  the  day  of  your  fa.«t,  ye  find  p/«'(tsurc  and  crnct  affi/our 
iahor,  behold  ye  fast  for  stri/r  and  ilcbatCy  and  to  smite  with  the  list 
of  wickedness ;  ye  shall  not  fast  as  ye  do  this  day,  to  make  your 
voice  to  be  heard  on  high.  Is  it  such  a  fast  as  1  have  chosen  ? — a 
day  for  a  man  to  afflict  his  soul  ?     Is  it   to  bow  down  his  head  as  a 

bulrush,  and*,  .nread  sackcloth  and  ashes  under  him?     Wilt  thou 

,         aulciT' 
call  this  a   !  .ud  an   acceptable  day  unto  the  Lord?     Is  not  this 

pre.si' 
the  fast  iharj,^,.flave   chosen  ?  to  loo.se  the  bands  of  wickedness,  to 

undo  the  heavy  burdens,  and    to  let  the   oppressed  go   free,  and  that 

ye  break  «very  yoke,     is  it  not  to  deal  thy  bread  to  the  hungry,  and 

that  thou  bring  the  poor  that  are  cast  out  to  thy  house  'f     When  thou 

seest  t*lie  naked  that  tliou  covisr  him  ;  and  that  thou  hide  not  thyself 

from   thine  own   flesh?"'     In  the   preceding   chapter,  which  is  the 

context,  the  prophet  had  rebuked  the  people  for  idolatry,  and  promised 

mercy  to  the  penitent.     Here  he   answers  the  objection  which  they 

bad  made — that'ia   not  a  fast  which  siiiij>ly  abstains   from  food,  and 

puts  sackcloth  and  ashes  on  the  body.     A  true  fast  implies  genuine 

repentanca,  and   genuine    repentance  includes   reformation.      While 

the  Israelites  fasted,  they  continued  the  very  sins  for  which  God  was 

chastising  them.     The  laws  of  God  were  forgotten,  and  when  Ills 

strong  hand  was  upon  them  ihcy  asked  for  mercy,  but  showed  none; 

they   prayed    to    be    delivered    from    oppression,   but  continued    to 

oppress;  they  felt  the   evil,  but  did   not  fors;ike  it;  they  sought  a 

blessing  for  themselves,  but  were  unwilling  to-corffer  it  iipon  others; 

they  sighed  for  the  favor  which  belonged  to  the  obedient,  while  they 

were  unwilling  to   forsake  their  disobedience.     The  prophet   taughty 

them  that  when  they  abstained  from  food,  they  must  have  the  spirit 

of  the  fast,  and  repent  and  reform.     Now  you  have  before  you  a  true 

exposition  of  the  prophet's  meaning. 


NELLIE   NOKTON.  79 

"  But  you  assert  that  the  '  bands  of  wickedness '  are  the  bonds 
of  slavery ;  that  the  '  heavy  burdctis '  are  those  which  we  impose 
upon  our  slaves ;  that  to  '  break  every  yoke '  is  to  set  our  negroes  at 
liberty.  .  An  accredited 'expositor,  who  was  an  anti-slavery  man,  says 
of  these  bands  :  "The  band?  which  we  have  wickedly  tied,  and  by 
which  others  are  bound  out  from  their  right,  or  bound  down  under 
severe  usage.  Those  which  perhaps  were  at  first  bands  of  justice, 
tying  men  to  pay  a  due  debt,  become  when  the  debt  is  exacted  with 
rigor,  from  those  whom  Providence  has  reduced  and  emptied, 
♦  bands  of  wickedness/  and  they  must  be  loosed,  or  they  will  bring 
us  into  bonds  of  guilt  much  more  terrible."  The  same  author 
continues :  '"  It  is  to  undo  the  '  heavy  burden '  thus  laid  on  the 
back  of  the  poor  servant,  under  which  he  is  ready  to  sink,  it  is  to 
let  the  '  oppressed  go  free  '  from  the  oppression  which  makes  his  life 
bitter  to  him.  Let  the  prisoner  for  debt,  that  has  nothing  to  pay,  be 
discharged ;  let  the  vexation  be  quashed ;  let  the  servant  that  is 
forcibly  detained  beyond  the  time  of  his  servitude  be  released,  and 
thus  break  every  yoke." 

"  It  was  a  law  of  Moses,  that  the  Hebrew  servants  should  only 
serve  seven  years,  but  this  law  had  been  forgotten,  and  many  of  this 
class  had  been  held  in  perpetual  servitude,  in  violation  of  this 
Divine  law.  The  prophet  may  ha.-c  meant  to  warn  the  people 
against  this  sin. 

*'  Slaves  are  under  a  yoke,  none  will  deny  it — so  are  wives  and 
children,  as  well  as  oxen.  As  we  are  commanded  to  'break  every 
yoke,'  shall  we  therefore  divorce  every  wife,  release  every  child  from 
parental  authority,  liberate  every  slave,  and  forbid  the  yoking  of  ^ 
oxen  ?  Certainly  the  breaking  of  e^ery  yoke  requires  this  and  much 
more  to  be  done.  Slavery  is  a  burden,  though  among  a  christian 
people  the  lightest  that  is  borne;  but  so  are  the  duties  of  the  minister 
a  burden,  the  obligations  of  life,  and  the  responsibilities  of  rulers. 
Shall  you  cca.'^e  to  preach  and  labor  ?  Shall  I  refuse  to  be  a  member 
of  society  ?  Shall  our  governors  and  rulers  resign  ?  Shall  the 
laborer  cease  his  vocation,  because  all  have  to  bear  burdens  ?  But 
all  this  and  much  more  must  be  done  before  we  can  '  undo  the 
burdens.'  But  these  things,  you  are  aware,  cannot  be  done  without 
a  total  disorganization  of  society  and  governments,  and  a  most 
palpable  violation  of  the  laws  of  God.  Then  what  yokes  must  be 
broken,  and  what  burdens  undone?  Manifestly  those  which  are 
unlawful,  and  none  others.  'Bear  ye  one  another's  burdens,  and  so 
/tdjil  the  law  of  Christ.'     Now,  sir,  until  you  shall  show  thatalarery 


80  XP.LLIE   NORTOiN*. 

is  an  unlawful  vokc,  aod  an  unauthorized  burdon,  yuu  cannot  clnim 
that  thwc  \rord8  of  tkc  proj>hct  ajply  to  us,  n?  .slaveholders.  Thia 
you  have  failed  to  jrovc — you  have  not  cvcu  aUcniptcd  it.  T,  there- 
fore,  take  it  for  pranted  that  you  cannot  do  so." 

"  You  nflirni  that  elaves  arc  oppresped.  ]?y  this  you  uioun  that 
they  are  'burdened  with  unreasonable  iiupcsidons.'  Your  unavoid- 
able ignorance  of  the  in.^tilution  promptb  you  to  make  this  cbargCi 
No  man  at  jill  familiar  with  the  workings  of  the  institution  will 
believe  that,  as  a  peneial  rulo.  uvy  unreafionablc  l.ibor  is  required  of 
our  slaves.     They  do  le.«s  ihau  any  other  laboring  class  of  any  land." 

**  Uncle,"  baid  Nellie>  '•  let  n  e  read  to  you  the  opinion  of  an 
Englishman  on  this  pubjci-t,  wlio  resided  in  \'ir^':iiiia  for  six  or  seven 
years — Mr.  G.  1'.  R  James,  '  the  well  known  and  English  novelist.' 
He  wrote  for  the  Knivkerbncker  'U  vciy  int<!lt•^tinp  article  on  Life 
in  "N'irginia,  in  which  he  says  the  negro  life  in  Virginia  'differs  very 
little,  I  believe,  from  the  nepro  life  all  through  the  t^outb.  In  return 
for  food,  clothing,  house  room,  medical  attendance,  and  support  in 
old  ape,  about  one-third  of  the  labor  which  is  required  of  the  white 
man  in  most  countricB  is  required  of  the  black.  He  performs  it 
badly,  and  would  not  perform  it  at  all  if  he  were  not  compelled. 
The  rest  of  his  time  is  spent  in  singing,  dancing,  lau{;hing,  chat- 
terinir,  and  bringing  up  pips  and  chickens.  That  negroes  are  the 
worst  servants  in  the  world,  every  man,  I  believe,  but  a  thorough 
bred  Southern  man,  will  admit  j  but  the  Southerner  haif  been  reared 
among  them  from  childhood,  and  in  general  has  a  tenderness  oi' 
affection  for  them,  of  which  Northern  men  can  have  no  conception, 
'(jrcat  care  is  taken  by  the  law  to  guard  them  against  oppression  and 
wrong  ;  and.  lifter  six  yeai-*'  rc^ideDce  in  the  State,  I  can  safely  say 
I  never  saw  more  than  one  instance  of  cruelty  toward  a  negro,  and 
that  was  perpetrated  by  a  foreigner.  That  there  still  may  be  evils 
in  the  system  which  might  be  removed  by  the  law,  and  that  there 
may  be  individual  instances  of  oppression,  and  even  bad  treatment,  1 
do  not  deny  ;  but  these  instances  are  not  so  frequent  as  those  of 
cruelly  to  a  wife  and  child  in  Northern  lands,  as  displayed  every 
day  by  the  uiwepapers;  and,  in  point  of  general  happiness,  it  would 
not  be  amiss  to  alter  an  old  adage  and  say,  '  as  merry  as  a  negro 
slave.'  I  think,  said  Nellie,  that  six  years'  observation  of  such  a 
man  as  Mr.  James,  whom  we  know  to  have  been  unfriendly  to  the 
institution  of  slavery  when  he  came  to  the  United  States,  is  s 
sufficient  refutation  to  the  charge  that  slavery  i$  an  oppression.  He 
is  certainly  a  disinterested  witness." 


NELLIE  NORTON.  81 

"  Tliank  you,  Nellie,"  said  her  uncle,  "  for  the  testimony  of  this 
witness.     It  answers  two  points  at  once.     It  shows  there  are  neither 

*  heavy  burdens'  nor  '  oppression'  in  Southern  slavery.  Therefore, 
in  these  two  respects,  the  prophet  does  not  rebuke  slavery  at  the 
present  day. 

"  The  mercy,  kindness,  compassion  and  beneficence  taught  by  the 
divine  law  had  been  disregarded.  It  may  be  the  King  ruled  as  a 
tyrant;  if  so,  he  was  to  become  a  mild,  just  and  virtuous  sovereign. 
The  husband  may  have  been  oppressive  to  his  wife,  or  the  parent  to 
the  children ;  these  evils  were  to  cease,  these  ofifenders  to  reform. 
The  master  may  have  done  great  injustice  and  wrong  to  his  slave ; 
these  were  to  be  discontinued  and  the  master  to  treat  his  slave  with 
the  justice  and  humanity  which  his  condition  and  right  demanded. 
In  a  word,  the  higher  virtues  of  political  and  social  life,  so  admira- 
bly and  unerringly  taught  in  the  scriptures,  were  to  be  observed." 

"Uncle,  did  I  understand' you  to  say,"  eaid  Nellie,  "that  this 
Scripture  referred  to  the  unlawful  detention  of  the  poor  Hebrews, 
who  on  account  of  their  poverty  had  been  sold  into  bondage  to  their 
brethren,  and  who  were  entitled  to  their  freedom  in  the  year  of  re- 
lease ?  We  know  there  was  a  sad  declension  in  the  moral  condition 
of  the  Israelites  in  Isaiah's  time,  and  this  may  have  been  one  of 
their  sins  for  which  the  prophet  so  severely  threatens  them." 

"  That  this  was  one  of  the  sins  of  that  day  there  can  be  no  doubt. 
I  think  the  prophet  may  have  had  remote  reference  to  this  in  61: 1-2, 

*  To  proclaim  liberty  to  the  captive,  and  the  opening  of  the  prison 
to  them  that  are  bound,'  seems  to  refer  indirectly  to  the  Israelites 
who  were  in  bondage  to  their  brethren,  and  who,  contrary  to  the  pos- 
itive injunction  of  Jehovah,  had  continued  their  bondage  past  the 
year  of  release,  perhaps  from  generation  to  generation. 

"  So  Mr.  Pratt,  I  still  maintain  my  position  that  there  cannot  be 
found  in  the  lids  of  the  Bible,  a  single  injunction  to  slaveholders,  to 
liberate  those  held  by  them  in  bondage.  Your  quotation  is  inadmis- 
sable  because  not  pertinent  to  the  question." 

"  There  is  not  the  shadow  of  a  doubt  on  my  mind,"  said  Mr.  Pratt 
^'  but  that  slavery  waa  the  crying  sin  of  the  Jews  in  Isaiah's  day.  It 
was  for  this  offence  that  they  were  delivered  over  into  the  hands  of 
the  Babylonians.  They  were  subjugated  by  their  oppressors  and  made 
slaves  themselves,  that  they  might  know  from  sad  experience  the  bit- 
terness of  bondage.  It  was  here  the  proud  master  waa  to  be  humbled, 
the  callous  heart  to  learn  sympathy,  the  obtuse  mind  to  understand 
the  sin  of  slavery.  It  was  here  they  were  to  learn  the  lessons  of 
K 


82  NELLIE   NORTON'. 

humanity  eo  long  forgotten.  In  drinkini:  thebittrr  cup  vi  bondngp, 
tbcy  were  to  learn  how  to  sympathize  with  bondmen  ;  in  bearing  thi.s 
heavy  burden,  to  feel  for  others  similarly  distressed  ;  in  wearing  this 
yoke,  to  rwsolve  afterward  to  break  it  wherever  fi.und.  Justice  waa 
meted  out  to  them  that  they  niiubt  learn  in  their  humiliation  to  prac- 
tice those  virtues  with  which  they  should  long  since  have  been  famil- 
iar. All  the  rebukes  which  slavery  received  were  unavailing.  The 
sin  was  never  cured  till  the  captivity.  A  severe  remedy  indeed,  but 
not  too  much  so  for  the  disease.  A  sad  fate,  but"  it  was  ju.st,  because 
it  was  well  deserved.  A  punishment  so  severe,  should  teach  you  a 
lesson.  The  south  ought  to  have  written  in  lettors  of  living  light, 
placed  higher  than  Ilaman's  gallows:  »  l^ibyloni.«*h  Captivity,'  with 
a  hand  pointilig  to  a  negro  slave,  under  whose  feet  should  be  written, 
'The  cause.' 

"God  chose  the  hand  of  a  heathen  prince  in  a  foreign  land,  and 
the  desolations  of  the  fair  fields  which  once  flowed  with  milk  and 
honey,  as  big  teachers.  The  voice  of  sighing  was  heard  from  the 
heart  of  every  Hebrew,  and  the  tears  of  bitterness  flowed  from  every 
eye,  while  every  spirit  crushed  to  earth  sent  up  a  lamentable  wail  for 
liberty,  liberty^  Liberty.  But  the  echo  of  their  sighs  and  wails 
were  the  only  respon.oo  that  came.  Unmoved  thin-  bad  heard  the 
sighs  and  tears  of  the  oppressed,  now  beliold,  the  scene  is  changed, 
and  there  is  no  eye  to  pity  and  no  hand  to  help  them.  JJewarc  I  "  Be 
sure  your  sin  will  find  you  out." 

"Why  did  you  not  go  on,"  said  Mr.  Thompson,  "and  make  the 
thunders  of  Sinai  and  the  sighs  of  (.'alvary  unite  in  the  rebuke  of 
slaveholders?  To  have  completed,  you  should  have  brouglit  in  the 
apostle  of  the  gospel  as  well  as  the  prophet  and  jurist  of  the  syna- 
gogue. The  voice  of  nature  and  the  voice  of  inspiration  should  both 
have  been  heard.  Nay,  the  stars  that  fought  against  Sissera  might 
have  been  made  vocal  to  arouse  the  stupid  Hebrews.  But  no,  the 
voice  of  the  prophet  was  not  sufiiciently  distinct,  the  word  of  Jehovah 
waa  too  ambiguous,  the  light  of  revelation  was  too  dim.  You  had  to 
take  them  down  to  Babylon,  among  a  cruel  and  barbarous  people, 
where  tenderness  was  never  seen,  to  teach  them  humanity.  You  car- 
ried them  among  the  heathen  to  learn  them  Christianity;  among  the 
rude  to  learn  them  good  manners  ;  among  the  ignorant  to  learn  them 
knowledge;  where  God  was  not  known  to  give  them  a  knowledge  of 
Him.  Y'ou  take  away  their  priests  that  they  may  render  purer  ofl^er- 
ings ;  their  prophets  and  teachers,  that  they  may  learn  the  faater ;  and 
finally  set  up  BubyloD  and  a  slave  to  teach  the  South  that  the  Bible 


NELLIE   NORTON.  88 

says  slavery  is  wrong.  Really,  sir,  you  deserve  a  medal  for  origina- 
ting this  new  logic,  that  is,  if  you  are  the  author.  On  the  same  prin- 
ciple it  might  be  well  for  us,  who  desire  our  children  to  be  virtuous, 
refined,  pious  and  intellectual,  to  ereci  houses  and  remove  them  among 
the  Hottentots,  and  leave  them  there  till  they  are  grown.  Exclude 
them  fiom  the  sun  that  they  may  have  light,  take  away  their  books 
and  teachers  that  they  may  increase  in  knowledge,  remove  from 
them  every  virtuous  example,  and  surround  them  with  vice,  that 
they  may  learn  to  be  christians.  This  is  your  logic,  sir.  But  your 
beautiful,  poetic  and  pathetic  theory  all  falls  to  the  ground  before 
the  face  of  irresistible  facts  j  and  hence,  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  your 
exhortation  is  as  a  '  tinkling  cymbal.'  You  assert  that  slavery  was 
the  crying  sin  for  which  the  Je\frs  were  carried  into  captivity,  that 
this  vassalage  was  necessary  as  a  remedial  chastisement  to  effect  a 
permanent  cure.  But  suppose  I  prove  from  the  Divine  record  that 
the  remedy  failed  to  eradicate  or  even  palliate  the  disease.  They 
.were  slaveholders  before  the  captivity,  they  carried  their  slaves  with 
them  into  captivity,  (for  cruel  os  were  ihe.'^e  heathen,  they  respected 
the  private  rights  of  their  captives,)  and  they  brought  their  slaves 
back,  when  they  returned  under  the  proclamation  of  Cyrus,  to  the 
land  of  Judea.  Hear  Ezra's  account  of  this  fact :  chap.  2:  64-65. 
'The  whole  congregation  together  was  forty  and  two  thousand  and 
three  hundred  ana  three  score,  besides  their  servants  and  their  maids, 
of  whom  there  were  seven  thousand  three  hundred  and  thirty  and 
seven.'  This  fact  shows  that  about  one-sixth  of  the  population  that 
returned  were  slaves  still  in  bondage.  Now,  as  according  to  your 
declaration,  the  Almighty  had  these  wicked  Jews  writhing  under 
his  chastisements  lor  (his  very  sin,  is  it  not  marvelous  that  He  did 
not  conquer  the  spoiled  child  and  effectually  cure  him  of  this  bad 
habit  before  he  released  him  from  the  punishment?  But  how  does 
your  assertion  and  Ezra's  agree?  There  is  certainly  a  conflict  be- 
tween you  and  him.  He  says  they  brought  back  their  slaves;  you 
say  the  Almighty  effectually  cured  them  of  this  sin  in  Babylon.  Do 
you  yield  to  this  testimony  and  give  up  the  point,  or  do  you  think 
that  this  holy  seer  was  so  bound  up  in  pro-slavery  sentiments  that  he 
left  on  record  a  falsehood  for  the  sake  of  his  loved  institution  ?  What 
do  you  say,  Elder  ?" 

'<  Why,  uncle,"  said .  Nellie,  "  you  don't  suppose  my  pastor  would 
deny  anything  so  plainly  stated  by  an  inspired  historian,  do  you?" 

"  I  prefer  he  should  answer  for  himself,"  said  Mr.  T. 

"  I  don't  think  Ezra  means  juet  what  he  says,"  said  Mr.  Pratt, 


84  NELLIE   NORTON. 

"for  we  know  that  the  Jews  wore  very  much  reduced  in  their  cif- 
camstances  when  they  returned.  They  themselves  were  only  eman- 
oipatcd  elaves,  and  how  could  they  be  .slaveholders '{" 

"We  have,"  replied  Mr.  T.,  '*  many  African  slaveholders' among 
Mn.  I  was  in  South  Western  Georgia,  Pome  time  since,  and  saw  a 
very  thrifty  little  farm  tended  by  slaves,  all  the  property  of  a  free 
negro.  But  I  am  digressing  to  pursue  your  ignis  fatuus.  You  do 
not  think  Ezra  meant  what  he  said.  Why,  do  you  think  he  was 
too  ignorant  to  expres-s  what  he  meant,  or  designedly  concealed 
the  truth  7  Or  do  you  admit,  that  according  to  Ezra,  your  Bab- 
ylonish speech,  like  that  once  mighty  city,  has  fallen,  fallen  ?  I  am 
amazed  at  the  subterfuges  to  which  error  will  drive  even  good  men. 
0!  candor,  honesty,  magnanimity,  truth  !  leave  not  our  fallen  race, 
our  sin-cursed  earth,  unblest  by  thy  beautiful  presence  and  holy 
power. 

"  But  you  bolster  up  your  denial  ef  divine  truth  with  the  idea  that 
these  Jews  were  too  poor  to  own  slaves.  Doubtless  in  this  fact  and 
not  the  divine  disapprobation  is  to  be  found  the  reduction  of  the 
number  of  slaves.  Hoping  that  you  may  never,  either  North  or 
South,  find  yourself  so  reduced  as  to  resort  to  subterfuges  so  unlike 
a  man  of  your  profession  and  learning,  1  wish  to  call  your  attention 
to  another  fact:  It  is  this  :  Some  of  the  most  beautiful  and  pious 
similes  in  the  Bible  are  drawn  from  the  institution  of  slavery.  In- 
stead of  denouncing  it,  these  holy  men  of  God  light  the  lamp  of 
truth  at  its  divine  altars,  and  thereby,  with  greatly  increased  power, 
bring  home  to  the  hearts  ot  their  hearers  and  readers,  the  sacred 
teachings  of  heaven.  But  they  never  illustrate  truth  by  polig- 
amy,  divorce,  adultery,  or  any  other  crying  sin  of  the  age.  Hear 
the  *  man  after  God's  own  heart.'  Vs.  123  :  2  :  '  Behold  as  the  eyes 
of  the  servants  look  to  the  hand  of  their  master,  and  as  the  eyes  of 
the  maiden  unto  the  hand  of  the  mistress,  so  our  eyes  wait  upon  the 
Lord  our  God  until  he  have  mercy  on  us.'  Now,  sir,  no  man  but  a 
slaveholder  could  have  thus  graphically  drawn  the  waiting,  depen- 
dant, expectant  slave;  and  it  seems  to  me  nothing  else  could  have 
afforded  an  illustration  of  the  submissive,  patient,  docile,  dependent 
condition  of  a  christian  before  the  gracious  Bestower  of  all  good.  It 
is  certain  the  Psalmist  could  obtain  nothing  more  appropos,  or  he 
would  have  done  so. 

"  Job,  7 :  2,  describes  his  weary  watcbings  during  his  painful 
Bufferings,  by  the  burden  of  the  tired  slave,  and  the  restiveness  of 
the  hireling.     *  As  a  servant  earnestly  dcsireth  the  shadow,  and  as 


NELLIE   NORTON.  85 

a  hireling  looketh  for  the  reward  of  his  work,  so  am  I  made  to  pos- 
sess months  of  vanity.'  The  Lord  himself  resorts  to  this  hated  in- 
stitution for  an  illustration,  that  the  truth  may  be  more  forcibly 
•impressed  upon  the  minds  of  the  degenerate  Israelites.  I  wish  you 
to  observe  how  he  places  it  side  by  side  with  the  relation  of  parent 
and  child.  Mai.  1  :  6,  'A  son  honoreth  his  father,  and  a  servant 
his  master ;  if  then  I  be  a  father,  where  is  mine  honor,  and  if  I  be 
a  master,  where  is  my  fear."  Here  he  honors  the  relation  of  master 
by  assuming  the  same  to  himself,  but  he  never  assumes  a  name  con- 
nected with  error  or  justly  odious.  You  perhaps  would  suppose  that 
a  slave  does  not  honor  his  master,  but  here  you  are  informed  by  the 
Allwise  Creator,  that  he  does.  This  fact  is  no  less  true  now  than  it 
wa^  in  the  days  of  Malachi,  the  prophet,  notwithstanding  the  incen- 
diary spirit  that  has  so  long  and  zealously  endeavored  to  sunder  the 
bonds  of  natural  union  between  master  and  slave. 

"  I  trust  you  are  satisfied  that  there  is  nothing,  not  one  word  in 
the  Old  Testament,  to  condemn,  but  much,  very  much  to  establish, 
enforce,  and  regulate  slavery.  You  have  been  met  at  every  point 
and  defeated  in  every  argument  you  have  brought  forward,  until  I 
presume  you  arc  '  convinced  against  your  will.'  So  I  leave  your 
sober  judgment  and  christian  faith  to  combat  with  the  unconquered 
and  unconquerable  root  of  abolitionism  still  latent  in  your  bosom, 
and  which  nothing,  I  fear,  but  death  will  eradicate;  no,  not  even  if 
one  were  to  arise  from  the  dead  would  you  yield  the  point,  for  if 
*  you  will  not  believe  Moses  and  the  prophets,  you  would  not  believe 
one  though  he  arose  from  the  dead. 

'You  may  as  well  go  stand  upon  ^he  beach, 
And  bid  the  main  flood  bate  its  usual  height; 
You  may  as  well  use  question  with  the  wolf, 
Why  he  hath  made  the  ewe  bleat  for  the  lamb  ; 
You  may  as  well  bid  the  mountain  pines 
To  wag  their  high  tops,  and  make  no  noise 
When  they  are  fretted  with  the  gusts  of  heaven,' 

as  aak  a  prejudiced  negranthropist  to  abate  ooe  jot  or  tittle  df  his 
opposition  to  slavery.  Elijah's  prayers  brought  up  the  clouds  and  pro- 
duced the  rain  ;  and  at  Joshua's  command  the  sun  stood  still,  but 
fortunately  neither  of  them  was  brought  in  conflict  with  the  madness 
and  unscrupulosity  of  fanatical  abolitionism." 

"Come,  uncle,"  said  Nellie,  "  I  thought  you  were  going  to  leave 
the  *  prating'  and  the  '  eloquent  nonsense'  to  we  Northerners,  while 
you  Would  stick  to  the  scripture  argument.     Thus  far  I  am  satisfied 


86  NELLIE   NORTON. 

jou  hare  truth  on  your  ^ide,  and  indeed  it  is  all  on  your  side.  That 
the  Old  Testament  is  a  pro-slavcrj  book  is  clearly  established,  and  I 
think  my  pastor  ought  to  admit  it.  if  it  is  not  prcsunij>tion  for  me  to 
suggest  to  learning,  wisdom  and  age.  At  least,  1  am  now  perfectly 
satisfied.  But  do  you  think,  uncle,  that  the  Gospel  dispensation  will 
sustain  your  institution  ?  I  have  often  heard  it  said  that  Christ  and 
the  Apostles  left  slavery  where  they  found  it,  because  they  would 
abstain  from  all  interference  with  the  social  and  political  relations  of 
life.  That  they  were  determined  to  be  known  only  as  promoters  of 
the  spiritual  interests  of  the  world  ;  and,  also,  that  us  they  found  the 
institution  very  popular,  they  would  not  rebuke  it,  lest  they  might 
bring  odium  upon  themselves,  and  thereby  greatly  lessen  their  influ- 
ence for  good."  ♦ 

"  If  Mr.  Pratt  is  willing,  we  will  enter  upon  the  investigation  of 
the  subject  as  held  by  Chriot  and  the  Apostles,  next  week.  It  may 
be  pleasant  to  recreate  for  a  few  days;  and  besides,  Mr.  Mortimer, 
you  remember,  is  to  take  you  up  to  Bonavcnturc  to-morrow  j  and  if  our 
Elder  has  no  objection,  he  and  1  will  visit  Savannah." 

Mr.  Pratt  readily  assented,  and  the  party  retired  to  their  rooms 
for  the  night — Nellie  to  think  on  the  pleasures  of  a  long  rido  with 
her  new  Iriend,  and  the  parson  to  wish  he  had  never  consented  to  a 
discussion  of  slavery  with  a  slaveholder. 

V.' 


NEW     TESTAMENT     ARGUMENT. 

CHAPTER  VII.I 

n 
Trip  to  Savannah  and  Bonaventure — Social  Influence  of  Slavery — 
Superiority    of  the  South — Engtiah  Philanthropy-*- Slavery   and 
Democracy —  The  South  Superior  in  Morals. 

At  early  twilight  everjthiag  was  astir  at  Mr.  Thompsou's.  The 
city  which  he  aud  Dr.  Pratt  were  to  visit  that  day  was  several  miles 
distant,  and  they  purposed  an  early  start.  * 

As  the  sun  arose  the  carriage  was  at  the  door,  and  Jack  announced 
himself  ready.  The  two  gentlemen  took  their  seats,  and  promising 
to  return  that  evening,  were  driven  rapidly  away. 

With  considerable  impatience,  Nellie  awaited  the  arrival  of  Mr. 
Mortimer,  to  accompany  her  to  Bonaventure.  The  gentlemen  had 
been  gone  a  full  hour  before  he  arrived.  But  here  we  must  leave 
Nellie  and  her  escort  for  a  time,  and  listen  to  the  conversation  of  the 
two  gentlemen. 

*'  Laying  the  injustice  and  inhumanity  of  slavery  aside,''  said  Dr. 
Pratt,  "  it  is  to  the  moral,  social  and  educational  interest  of  the 
South  to  abolish  it." 

"  Why,"  said  Mr.  T.,  "  do  you  believe  we  are  inferior  to  those 
nations  where  African  slavery  does  not  exist  ?  " 

"  I  certainly  do.  And  I  can  demonstrate  to  you  by  facts,  perfect- 
ly cognizant  to  yourself  and  every  other  intelligent  man,  that  th6 
North,  and  every  other  free  civilized  country,  is  superior  to  the 
South." 

"  Proceed,  sir,  with  your  demonstration." 

**  Well,  to  begin,"  said  the  Doctor,  "  you  get  most  of  your  teach- 
ers from  the  North,  You  send  your  sons  and  daughters  there  to 
complete  their  education,  when  you  wish  it  thorough.  Hundreds 
of  your  preachere  are  Northern  men.  Your  authors  live  beyond  the 
Potomac,  and  your  books  are  all  printed  by  our  northern  presses. 
Now,  sir,  deny  these  facts  if  you  can.  If  not,  tell  me  if  stronger 
proofs  of  our  superiority  are  required  ?  " 

"  T  admit,"  said  Mr,  Thompson,  "many  of  the  facts  you  have 
stated.  Many  northern  men  and  women  are  teaching  at  the  South. 
But  the  reasons  are  not  aa  you  suppose.     It  is  not  because  we  have 


88  NELLIE   NORTON*. 

not  persons  among  u&  fully  qualified  for  the  work.  You  have  just 
admitted  that  we  have  educated  many  of  our  sons  and  daughters  at 
the  same  schools  at  which  yours  are  educated,  therefore,  they  must 
be  their  equals  A  sufficient  number  perhaps  have  thus  been  edu- 
cated to  supply  the  demand  for  teachers  all  over  the  South.  Many 
of  our  best  edq^ated  young  ladies  are  the  daughters  of  wealthy  men, 
who  would  not  consent  for  them  to  teach.  Your  northern  young 
ladies  are  generally  poor,  and  obliged  to  do  .'something  lor  a  living. 
They  must  become  servants  to  the  rich  at  home,  or  teachers  at  the 
South — they  prefer  the  latter.  We  have  generally  given  them  em- 
ployment, and  when  they  have  become  independent  and  returned 
home,  many  of  them  have  treated  us  like  vKsop's  serpent,  which, 
when  warmed  into  life  by  his  benefactor,  bit  him  in  return.  In 
many  instances  they  have  shown  a  heartlessness  and  want  of  veracity 
unworthy  of  a  highly  civilized  people.  Now,  if  this  is  what* you 
mean  by  superiority,  why  I  grant  it  to  you.  I  can  inform  you  of  a 
fact  which  you  may  not  have  learned  :  that  Yankee  teachers  are  at  a 
discount  among  us.  Many  have  resolved  never  to  employ  one 
again  ;  so  many  have  proved  to  be  nothing  but  treacherous  abolition 
spies,  that  they  have  seriously  affected  the  standing  of  the  honest 
end  true  ones  among  them. 

''  But  many  send  their  sons  and  daughters  North  to  complete 
their  education.  Many,  like  myself,  are  of  horthern  birth  and 
education,  and  you  know  how  natural  it  is  for  a  man  or  woman  to 
think  that  their  educators  are  superior  to  any  others,  and  on  this 
account  many  send  North.  IJut  there  are  many  Southoruers  '  to 
the  manor  born,'  who  do  the  same  thing  : 

'  Distance  lends  enchantment  to  the  view.' 

"It  is  for  this  reason  that  the  American  ladies  obtain  their  fash- 
ions from  Paris.  Do  they  admit  thereby  that  French  ladies  are 
superior  to  thciu  ?  They  would  be  insulted  at  such  an  allusion.  I 
have  always  considered  it  a  groat  mistake,  as  well  as  a  useless  expen- 
diture of  money,  to  send  boys  and  girls  North  to  educate  them.  It 
has  made,  as  is  obvious  now,  a  false  impression  at  the  North,  as  to  our 
educational  facilities,  while  it  has  proved  a  serious  injury  to  the 
South,  by  withholding  much  of  the  patronage  from  our  own  institu- 
tions, which  was  necessary  to  give  them  the  position  they  justly 
deserve.  We  have  four  male  universities  in  Georgia,  not  inferior 
to  your  best  in  New  England — the  standard  of  scholarship  is  the 
same  generally,  and  we  have  as  thoroughly  educated  and  efficient 


ITELLIE  NORTON.  89 

faculties  as  are  to  bo  found,  as  the  fruits'  of  their  labors  most  abun- 
dantly attest.  , Female  schools  of  a  superior  character  abound  all 
over  the  State,  aud  in  every  other  Southern  State,  and  their  privi- 
leges are  within  the  reach  of  all  who  desire  to  enjoy  them.  I  may 
safely  say,  that  the  education  of  the  young  has  become  a  coatagion, 
which  has  seized  hold  of  the  masses  of  our  people^  and  will  no  doubt 
fioon  become  universal.  So  that  now,  southern  patronage  to  northern 
schools  will  grow  small  by  degrees  and  beautifully  less. 

"You  are  greatly  mistaken  when  you  assert  that  our  books  are  all 
written  beyond  the  Potomac.  We  have  many  southern  authors,  not 
inferior  to  any  in  the  world ;  the  list  is  too  long  to  mention,  and  I 
Would  make  no  invidious  distinctions.  But,  sir,  wc  have  our  poets, 
our  novelists,  our  scientific  authors,  our  theological  writers.  In  a 
word,  every  class  of  writers  that  you  will  find  among  a  sober-minded, 
practical  literary  people,  anywhere  in  the  world.  In  contrasting 
authors  North  and  South,  my  observation  is,  that  there  is  a  strength, 
energy,  and  simplicity  of  style,  an  elevated,  ingenuous  method  of 
expression,  a  purpose  at  once  palpable  and  commendable,  that  I  do 
not  find  in  northern  authors.  It  is  true  however,  that  we  have  but 
few  authors  whose  trade  it  is  to  make  books.  Our  people  never 
write,  unless  they  haVe  something  which  they  concciye  is  of  im- 
portance to  the  public.  At  the  North  your  people  make  a  trade  of 
any  and  everything.  They  make  a  trade  of  preaching,  of  freeloveisui, 
of  abolitionism,  of  making  wooden  nutmegs  and  hams.  We  freely 
confess  our  inferiority  in  these  respects,  Ibr  we  have  no  such  hum- 
buggery  among  us.  When  you  speak  of  our  inferiority,  you  forget 
the  Washingtons,  Jcffersons,  Monroes,  Madisons,  Calhouns,  Clays, 
and  a  host  of  others  too  numerous  to  mention— all  born  and  reared 
in  the  slave  States.  You  forget  that  the  greatest  orators  of  which 
this  continent  has  ever  boasted  were  southern  men.  You  forget  that 
the  giant  intellects  of  this  government,  which  have  commanded  the 
admiration  of  the  civilised  world,  were  southern  men.  You  foro-et 
that  '  the  Mother  of  States  and  Statesmen,'  is  at  the  South.  In- 
ferior indeed  I  Where  do  you  find,  at  the  North,  or  any  Where  else, 
such  an  array  of  statesmen,  patriots,  orators  and  military  captain.s. 
The  South,  sir,  is  the  greatest  land  upon  earth,  considering  it  is 
now  but  in  its  infancy.  Considering  its  brief  cateer,  it  has  given 
birth  to  the  greatest  number  of  remarkable  statesmen,  orators, 
heroes  and  theologians  of  any  nation  upon  earth.  Why,  sir,  did 
you  know  that  a  fourth  of  the  pulpits  in  Philadelphia  arc  occnpie'l 
by  southern  men,  and  that  they  greatly  prefer  them  to  northern  men, 
L 


> 


90  XILLIE  NORTOX. 

and  the  Presidential  chair  haa  been  occupied  for  forty-foar,  otit  of 
fifty-sis  years,  by  slaveholders. 

'*  But  you  are  of  the  opinion  that  our  social  elevation  is  retarded 
by   slavery.     This   is   a   common  opinion  at   the   North,  especially 
among  those   who  have   never   mingled    with  southerners   at  their 
homes.     As  this  class  is  tot.nlly  i^'oorant  of  social  life  at  the  South, 
their  opinions  are  not  to  be  trusted.     Far  otherwise  has  it  been  with 
thoiJe  who  have  sojourned  among  us  Jong  fuough   to   understand 
southern  life  and    character.     The  Kev.  Mr,    Hawtell,  an  eminent 
methodist  divine,  who  spent  several  years  in  the  South,  thinks  that 
socially,  slavery  has  been  of  no  disadvantage  to  us.     Mr.  Van  Evrie, 
a  New  Yorker,  thinks  it  has  greatlj  promoted  our  social  elevation. 
The   Hon.  Miss  Murray,  Maid  of  Honor  to  the  Queen  of  England, 
after  making  the  tour  of  the  United   States,  gives  it  as  her  opinion 
that  wo   are  quite   in  advance  of  the    anti-slavery  portion    of  the 
union.     Her  testimony  is  valuable,  as  coming  from  one  who  began 
the   tour  with  all  the  strong  prejudices  of  an  English  abolitionist, 
against  slavery  and  slaveholders.     Bui  in  her  letters  home  she  wrote 
a  most  able  vindication  of  slavery,   which  lost  her   the  position  of 
honor  she  had  so  long  and  gracefully  oceupied.'j;  But  how  can  slavery 
retard  the  successful  advances  to  that  highest  point  of  civil  and  social 
elevation  towards  which  a   great  people  should  always  aspiro  ?     Dis- 
tress and  pauperism,  are  the  great  obstacles  j  the  fruitful  progeny 
of  these ;  '  vice  and  misery,  wretchedness,  suflcriug,  iguorancci,  deg- 
radation,   discontent,    depravity,  drunkenness,  and  the   increase  of 
crime,'  form  one  mighty  incubus,  which  hangs  like  a  pall  upon  the 
public  uund  and  forbids  any  cuuimondablc  progress.    But  these  evib 
are   scarcely  visible   ut  the  South — they  do  nut  accompany  slavery, 
but  flee  before  it,   like  the  darkness  docs  before  the  light.     There  ia 
DO  such  competition  of  labor  hero  as  to  reduce  any  man  to  panper' 
iam.     There  cannot  be.     But  at  the  North  and  in  England,  you 
never  have  a  financial  reverse  but  what  thousands  of  your  poor  arc 
thrown  out  of  employment,   and  reduced  to  eitreme  want.     This 
engenders  vice,  misery,  despondency,  and  degradation.     The  poor 
among  us  are  never  thus  tempted,  as  a  class.     They  are  generally  a 
contented,  virtuous,  happy,   prosperous  people,  and  are  as  perfect 
exemplars  of  virtuous  principles  as  any  in  our  land.     Civilization 
advances  in    proportion  to   the  virtue   of  the  people.     Where   the 
standard  of  morality  and   intelligence  is  good  among   the  private 
Qitizens  of  a   country,  it  may  be  said  to  be  in  a  high  state  of  civili- 
zation.    No  better  state  of  morals  exists  in  any  country  than  at  the 


NELLIE  NORTON.  91 

South.  Indeed,  while  I  would  not  boast  nor  appear  egotistical,  I 
would  give  my  adopted  land  the  praise  of  being  in  advance  of  any 
country,  where  slavery  does  not  exist.  AVhat  section  of  this  country 
gave  birth  to  niormonism  and  freeloveism  ?  not  the  South.  What 
section  elevates  the  law  of  conscience  above  the  law  of  God  ?  not 
the  South.  What  country  has  dethroned  Deity  to  make  a  place  fer 
reason  f  not  a  slaveholding  people.  Who  deny  many  portions  of 
Divine  Kevelation,  or  torture  their  plain  and  palpable  meaning  to 
prove  the  reverse  of  what  the  scriptures  say  ?  not  slaveholders,  but 
abolitionists.  Where  is  the  Bible  declared  to  be  not  of  God,  be- 
cause  it  is  a  pro-slavery  book  ?  not  at  the  South.  What  people  are 
prepared  to  give  up  the  Word  of  Life,'rather  than  part  with  their 
own  private  opinions  on  slavery  ?  You  at  the  North.  You  are  now 
verging  towards  the  most  fatal  forms  of  infidelity  that  ever  cursed 
any  people.  Da*ngerous,  becau.se  it  comes  in  the  guise  of  religion  ; 
it  is  in  the  church,  in  the  pulpit,  in  your  theology,  in  your  religious 
convocations ;  in  everything  that  is  to  go  before  the  public  mind,  or 
impress  the  early  convictions  of  the  young.  When  carried  out  to 
its  full  development,  it  will  not  only  make  infidels  of  you  all,  but  it 
will  terminate  in  anarchy.  Thus  far  we  have  been,  in  the  main,  de- 
livered from  these  errors.  We  are  iu  danger  of  contracting  this 
contagion  from  you,  and  I  sometimes  tremble  at  the  thought. 
A  dark  future  awaits  you  at  the  North,  unless  Divine  Providence 
interposes  to  arrest  this  increasing  tide  of  infidel  sentiment.  '  Come 
and  let  us  reason  together.'  Our  Maker  has  established  four 
cardinal  relations  iu  life — the  strict  observance  of  each  is  essential 
to  the  political  and  moral  welfare  of  th6  people  :  1.  That  bctw(!ten 
the  ruler  and  the  governred.  2.  Between  husband  and  wife.  3. 
Between  parents  and  children.  4.  Between  master  and  .«servant. 
These  all  claim  in  the  Bible  the  same  divine  origin,  and  no  one  but 
an  infidel  can  or  will  deny  it.  But  the  North  denies  the  latter  rela- 
tion. To  do  80  effectually,  they  have  so  far  shaken  the  others,  that 
two  ©f  them  arc  now  meeting  with  disfavor,  and  the  other  is  in  dan- 
ger. Already  have  several  northern  States  rebelled  against  the 
national  law  on  slavery,  thus  most  effectually  denying  the  first  rela- 
tion. Already,  too,  have  free-love  societies  been  established  in 
northern  cities,  thms  again  denying  the  relation  to  be  divine  between 
husband  and  wife.  With  such  a  state  of  society  as  this  will  ulti- 
mately develop,  the  spirit  of  rebellion  against  parental  authority 
must  necessarily  be  instilled  at  a  very  early  age.  Then  will 
come  anarchy.     All  these  are  to  be  the  mature  fruits  from  the  tree 


92  NELLIE  NORTON. 

of  abolitiunism,  for  '  an  evil  trco  cannot  bring  forth  good  froit,'  and 
those  who  cultivate  the  tree  must  eat  of  its  products. 

*'  Now,  sir,  wait  till  there  is  a  nianifcstatiou  of  our  want  of  civili- 
zation, before  you  charge  it  upon  us.  None  of  these  evils  have  aa 
yet  Diude  their  appearance  among  us;  if  they  had,  the  civilized 
world  would  have  become  vocal  with  the  noise  you  wuuld  have  niado 
about  it.  As  it  is,  you  charge  lis  with  the  want  of  civilization, 
without  oflfcring  a  word  of  testimony  in  proof  of  the  fact. 

"Now,  if  slavery  is  right,  morally  and  religiously,  as  1  have  already 
proved  to  you,  but  which  I  intend  to  demonstrate  more  fully  before 
t\iis  discussion  Piloses,  then  it  cannot  give  rise  to  tho  evils  of  which 
you  speak.  *  A  good  tree  cannot  bring  forth  evil  fruit-  '  It  is  not 
opposed,  as  facts  have  shown,  tu  the  highest  developments  of  national 
greatness.  There  is  no  branch  of  indui^try  necessary  to  this  end  tliat 
it  discourages,  no  moral  culture  that  it  hinders,  no  literary,  intellec- 
tual or  scientific  attainments  that  it  does  not  foster. 

"  The  South  abolish  slavery  I  no,  sir,  never.  We  have  too  much 
regard  for  the  welfare  of  our  slaves.  Wc  know  too  well  what  is  for 
their  good,  and  we  feel  too  deep  an  interest  in  them  to  throw  them 
off,  uucared  for  and  unprotected  ;  a«d  devoutly  reverencing  Ood'a 
institution,  we  will  perpetuate  it. 

"  Slavery  is  the  normal  condition  of  tho  negro,  as  much  aa  freedom 
is  of  the  Caucasian.  He  has  always  and  everywhere  been  a  slave  ; 
he  always  will  be.  Free  him  from  his  master,  and  he  is  a  slave  to 
the  baser  appetites  of  his  nature.  lie  becomes  an  indolent  vaga- 
bond, a  prowling  thief,  a  midnight  rogue,  a  brawling  drunkard  or  an 
iudifl'ercut,  filthy  sloth,  and  die.s  of  hunger.  Ho  is  more  virtuous, 
more  prosperous  and  prolific,  and  much  happier  in  a  state  of  bondage. 
He  lapses  into  physical,  mental  and  moral  degradation  in  a  state  of 
freedom,  as  the  history  of  emancipation  abundantly  i)roves.*' 

"  Do  you  not  believe,"  said  the  Doctor,  "that  there  are  thousands 
of  slaves  in  the  South  that  would  be  glad  to  be  free  'i" 

"No  doubt  of  it,"  said  Mr.  T.,  "just  as  there  are  thousands  of 
children  who  have  loving  and  indulgent  parents,  yet  would  rejoice  to 
be  free  from  parental  restraints.  But  it  is  best  for  the  children,  as  you 
know,,  that  these  desires  cannot  be  realized.  It  is  no  less  true  that 
tho  negro  would  be  injured  by  his  freedom.  Simply,  then,  as  a 
philanthropist,  I  am  in  favor  of  slavery." 

"  You  have  strange  views  of  philanthropy, "   said   the   Doctor. 
"The  moral  and  religious  sense  of  the  world  is  against  you,  and  yet  . 
you  stand  out  '  solitary  and  alone.'     Why,  sir,  did  you  know  that  tha 


NELLIE   NORTON.  9S 

interest  on  the  fumount  invested  by  England  for  the  emancipation  and 
moral  elevation  of  the  negroes  of  the  West  Indies,  amounts  to  five 
millions  of  dollars  annually?  Here,  sir,  is  a  philanthropy  which 
speaks  for  itself. " 

"  Yes,  sir, "  said  Mr.  T.,  "  I  knew  the  fact.  I  also  know  that 
when  Parliament  voted  forty  thousand  pounds  to  educate  England's 
poor,  it  voted  cigliti/  thonmnd  povvth  to  repair  the  queen's  stables ; 
thus  making  the  comfort  of  her  horses  double  the  importance  of  the 
moral  well-being  of  her  poor!  This,  too,  is  speo7(;i«y  philanthropy 
from  the  same  source.  And  further,  I  know  that  while  England 
taxes  her  people  five  millions  to  elevate  the  negro,  she  does  not  allow 
her  own  people  but  one  hundred  thousand,  or  about  one  fiftieth  of 
the  amount,  for  the  elevation  of  her  own  oppressed  serfs.  The  truth 
is,  negro  slavery  is  democratic — it  is  opposed  to  monarchism — it  is  a 
death  blow  to  it,  and  England  was  wise  enough  to  find  it  out.  Serf- 
dom disappears  at  its  approach  ;  the  two  cannot  live  together  in  the 
same  government.  The  whites  will  be  free,  where  the  negroes  are 
slaves.  England  intended  to  keep  her  poor  whites  in  slavery,  and  to 
do  this  effectually  and  peaceably  it  was  neces.sary  to  emancipate  the 
slaves  in  her  colonies."  Hear  what  Mr.  Van  Evrie,  a  Northern  man, 
says  on  this  subject :  "  To  hold  in  check  the  tendency  of  demo- 
cratic ideas,  to  sustain  and  prolong  its  sway  over  the  masses,  European 
monarchisms,  and  especially  the  British  portion  of  it,  originated  the 
'idea'  of  'free  negroism'  and  a  crusade  in  favor  of  iv/crior  races. 
Its  design  was  two-fold  :  as  an  antafjonism  for  holding  in  cherk  the 
progress  of  American  democracy ;  and,  in  the  second  place,  as  a 
false  issiie  to  its  own  nppjcssed  masses.  It  began  with  Johnson, 
Wilberforce,  Pitt,  and  others  of  the  most  bigoted  school  of  British 
tories.  As  a  general  thing,  both  in  Europe  and  America,  those  most 
bigoted,  and  most  Jwstih  to  the  freedom  and  equality  ef  their  own 
race  have  been  its  special  advocates.  The  time,  perhaps,  has  not  yet 
arrived  to  estimate  this  negro  movement  at  its  true  val^e;  but  it  will 
come,  and,  when  it  does,  British  philanthropy  and  'humanity,* 
'freedom,'  'emancipation,'  'abolition,'  or  whatever  it  may  be 
termed,  will  be  known,  as  it  is,  in  fact,  the  icidcst  spread  imposture 
and  the  vilest  fraud  ever  practised  on  human  credulity."  Now,  8ir, 
I  would  not  charge  a  love  of  monarchism  upon  all  the  Northern  aboli- 
tioni.'!ts.  They  have  strong  imitative  powers,  and  with  all  are 
exceedingly  vain.  Love  of  applause  is  a  controlling  element  of 
character  with  thcra.  They  are  frequently  thrown  with  the  P]ngliBh 
people,  commercially  and  eocially.     They  have  ihercby  caught  tho 


94  NELLIE   NORTON. 

spirit  and  desire  to  ape  the  mothfrland.  IVfidcp,  vou  Northern 
people  have  been  taunted  by  the  En^^dish  in  a  uiimner,  it  would  seem, 
well  calculated  to  di(:gU8t  and  insolt  you.  I^ut  a  fawning  sycophant  is 
vvilling  to  pay  dearly  for  his  privil»\i.'es.  They  nsscrt  that  nlavery 
lias  deniondized  the  Northern  States.  To  prove  to  thoni  it  is  a  misLike, 
you  are  goaded  on  in  your  opposition  to  slavery,  till  you  have  out- 
stripped them  in  your  denunciationp  of  it.  Ihey  charge  to  it  all 
the  violations  of  good  order,  even  the  "  Momion  murders,"  the 
"  Philadelphia  riot«,  and  the  exterminating  wars  against  the  Indians." 
Your  leading  abolitioniht*;,  doubtless,  say  nnien  to  all  this,  and  then 
your  orators  and  writers  say  "  the  half  has  not  been  told."  So, 
Jehu  like,  you  say  to  (hem,  "  Conic  and  behold  my  zeal  fur  human 
freedom;"  and  so  you  far  outstrip  them  in  your  effort*  to  destroy 
this  Pandora's  box  of  evils. 

,"  The  statennien  of  England  are  far-seeing ;  those  of  the  North  are 
not.  The  latter  are  willing  to  be  led  by  tho  greater  minds  across  the 
water.  Lordu  and  nobles  will  do  anything  to  sustain  the  crown,  but 
the  crown  can  only  be  sustained  by  the  perpetuity  of  monarehism, 
and  this  cannot  long  be  done  where  negro  slavery  exists.  Monarchies 
are  opposed  to  Republics,  and  would  like  to  sec  the  last  one  crumble 
into  dust,  or  be  drowned  in  blood.  ]}ut  this  can  never  be  done  in 
America  till  slavery  is  abolished.  It  is,  therefore,  to  the  interest  of 
the  monarchies  of  Europe  to  foster  abolitionism  hero.  No  doubt  the 
sagacious  Ktatesmeu  of  England  are  chuckling  at  the  increase  of 
abolition  sentiments  on  this  continent,  and  see  in  it  the  precursor  of 
a  strong  government,  and  think  they  hear  in  the  emancipation  clamor 
of  the  North  the  death  knell  of  republicanism.  I  fear  the  sequel 
will  vindicate  their  wif-doni.  l?ut  the  blind  abolitionists  of  the  North 
have  been  dazzled  and  led  on  until  tho  "  things  that  make  for  their 
peace  are  hidden  from  them."  They  do  not  see  the  tricks  of  English 
diplomatist*,  nor  will  they  until  they  are  involved  in  ruin." 

"  What  a  desponding  man  you  are,"  said  the  Doctor,  "  to  see 
dang<Jr  where  noi;c  exists,  to  apprehend  evil  where  it  cannot  by  any 
possibility  arise!" 

"The  wise  man  said  'The  prudent  man  forcsccth  the  evil  and 
hideth  himself,  but  tho  simjile  pass  on  and  are  punished,'  ''  replied 
Mr.  T.  "  But  again,  sir,  permit  me  to  call  your  attention  to  tho  incon- 
sistencies of  English  philanthropists.  They  denounce  slavery  and 
slaveholders  in  unmeasured  terms.  They  protest  against  the  institu- 
tion as  a  system  of  robbery  and  fraud.  Yet  they  are  eager  for  the 
purchase  of  the   products   of  slave    labor.     They  grow  rich  upon 


NELLIE  NORTON.  95 

thorn— 'they  are  the  staple  commodities  of  their  commerce.  Indeed, 
if  they  were  to  refuse  our  cotton,  many  of  these  zealous  denouncers 
of  slavery  would  have  to  go  to  bed  supperless.  Their  pliant  consciences 
are  at  rest  when  slave  labor  brings  money  into  their  pockets.  They 
forget,  then,  the  'tears  and  sweat  and  blood'  of  the  poor  slave. 
And  may  I  say,  sir,  that  the  consciences  of  Northern  abolitionists 
are  not  less  pliant,  and  their  philanthropy  is  not  less  selfish.  They 
write,  and  speak,  and  legislate,  and  pray,  and  preach  against  slavery  j 
but,  when  they  can  make  a  dollar  on  cotton,  their  objections  to  the 
hated  institution  evaporate  into  thin  air.  Well  has  Inspiration  said: 
'The  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil.'  None  but  a  Yankee 
brain  could  have  invented  the  phrase,  'Almighty  Dollar;'  for  none 
have  ever  fdt  the  mUjlxty  wjhence  of  the  dollar  so  sensibly  as  they. 
With  them  it  is  stronger  than  patriotism,  philanthropy  or  local 
attachments.  If  what  I  have  said  is  not  true,  if  English  and 
Northern  abolitionists  really  desire  the  freedom  of  our  slaffes,  why 
do  they  not  reject  the  products  of  their  labor !  By  purchasing 
them  from  us  they  only  encourage  us  in  multiplying  our  slave  force. 
Tlicy  rivet  the  chains  of  slavery  upon  our  bondmen- — they  perpetuate 
the  institution — they  foster  slave  labor.  If  slavery  is  wrong,  they 
are  particcjys  criminis.  Nor  are  they  blind  to  this  fact.  It  has 
undergone  extensive  discussions,  both  at  the  North  and  in  England. 
It  is  really  amusing  to  see  the  subterfuges  to  which  the  moralists  (?) 
who  opposed  slavery  have  resorted,  to  justify  the  purchase  of  its 
products.  The  following  may  serve  as  a  specimen:  'The  master 
owns  the  land,  gives  his  skill  and  intelligence  to  direct  the  labor,  and 
feeds  and  clothes  the  slaves.  The  slaves,  therefore,  are  entitled  to 
only  a  part  of  the  proceeds  of  their  labor,  while  the  master  is  also 
justly  entitled  to  a  part  of  the  crop.  When  brought  into  market,  the 
purchaser  cannot  know  what  part  belongs  rightfully  to  the  master, 
and  what  to  the  slaves,  as  the  whole  is  offered  in  bulk.  He  may, 
therefore,  purchase  the  whole  innocently,  and  throw  the  sinfulness 
of  the  transaction  upon  the  master,  who  ^ells  what  belongs  to  others.' 
Now,  how  revolting  to  an  honest  mind,  and  how  preposterous  in  a 
legal  view,  is  such  a  proposition  !  Suppose  two  men  to  farm  in 
co-partnership,  one  is  entitled  to  onc-tenth,  the  other  to  nine-tenths 
of  what  is  made.  How  much  each  is  entitled  to  is  not  known  to  the 
public,  but  simply  that  each  has  a  share,  the  quantity  of  which  in 
known  only  to  the  parties.  Now,  I  am  a  produce  merchant,  and  the 
man  entitled  to  one-ninth  brings  in  all  the  corn  in  his  own  name, 
and  I,  knowing  the  fact,  purchase  it.     Have  I  done  so  iDnocently? 


BO  NELLIE  NORTON. 

If  I  have,  theD  no  one  is  guilty  who  purcliaflcs  stolen  goods.  But  if 
slavery  is  wrong  in  itself,  then  the  master's  claim  to  its  pr.^ducta  ia 
at  the  expense  of  the  rights  of  the  original  producer,  or  slave,  then 
to  the  purchuiiCr,  with  a  knowledge  of  these  facts,  they  arc  stolen 
goods.  In  the  eye  of  the  law,  the  niaftcr  is  guilty  of  a  fr.iud  in 
'  ron/'tun'tiij '  tho  goods.  But  to  purchase  thcui  Irom  him,  paying 
him  lor  all,  is  to  give  him  the  advantage  of  his  own  fraudulent  act; 
this  the  law  never  decs  knowingly.  Now,  if  slavery  is  wrong  in 
itself,  as  abolitionists  soy  it  is,  then  to  obtain  its  products  from  the 
tnaetcr,  and  yet  justify  themselves  in  so  doing)  requires  the  dcsuitical 
argument,  '  the  tn^f  justifies  the  virnn»,'  i.  e.,  so  we  get  the  money 
it  does  not  matter  htur — it  is  none  of  our  business  whether  this 
planter  came  by  his  cotton  or  sugar  honestly  or  not;  wc  will  not  go 
back  to  see,  that  is  his  business.  8uch  a  course  shciWs  the  fallacy, 
(to  use  the  Very  softest  word  possible,)  of  English  and  Northern 
pljilanthropy,  and  it  shows  the  elasticity  of  the  consciences  of  these 
characters,  who  would  set  themselves  up  as  public  instructors  of 
good  morals." 

But  Nellie  and  Mr.  Mortimer  arc  pa-ssing  as  just  now,  and  tho 
curious  reader  may  desire  to  hoar  the  subject  matter  of  couversation 
between  them. 

"  IIow  are  you  pleased  with  our  clinnitc  and  people,  so  far  as  youf 
observation  has  extended  to  the  latter?"  asked  Mr.  M. 

"  Delighted  with  both.  But  why  do  you  ask  such  a  question  ? 
I  am  sure  you  could  not  think  a  lady  of  ta.'Jtc  would  be  otherwise 
than  pleased.  This  must  be  an  approximation  to  tho  beautiful  aud 
delightful  homo  of  our  first  parents,  before  it  was  polluted  by  tho 
appearanue  of  the  t^'uiptcr.  Nature,  wild  and  untaniod  by  the  hand 
of  art,  is  always  attractive  to  me.  Compiired  with  my  own  frigid 
homO)  you  have  perennial  spring  and  flowers;  The  birds  sing  the 
season  round,  the  air  is  soft  and  mild  as  .May.  I  have  formed  but 
few  new  accjuainjances  since  my  arrival,  but  have  been  much  pleased 
with  those.  Society  at  the  South  is  very  different  from  what  1 
expected  to  find  it^  I  concur  in  tho  opinion  cxprc.«8cd  by  Miss 
Murray,  when  she  says  of  a  Southern  city  :  *'  I  met  there  several 
pretty  Southern  ladies ;  their  voices  and  way  of  speaking  struck  me  as 
more  refined  and  graceful  than  those  of  the  other  States  I  have 
visited.     I  find  society  hero  most  agreeable." 

**  I  am  glad  you  are  so  highly  plea.<»ed  with  the  South  and  South- 
erners. So  many  visit  us  and  return  with  prejudices  against  us, 
either  because  they  do  not  stay  long  enough  to  form  correct  ideas,  or 


NELLIE  NORTON,  97 

from  early  eJueation  they  are  blinded  to  our  virtucB.  The  South  is 
not  appreciated  generally  by  Northerners  or  by  foreigners,  and  I 
suspect  that  it  is  on  account  of  slavery.  The  whole  world  is  in  arms 
against  us;  but,  after  all,  we  are  right.  By  the  way,  how  does  the 
controversy  between  your  uncle  and  Dr.  Pratt  progress  ?" 

"  I  have  been  very  much  int'Crested  ia  it,"  said  Nellie.  "  Last 
night  they  closed  the  old  Testament  argument,  and  on  their  return 
are  to  enter  upon  the  new." 

"  How  did  it  terminate  '!  Who  had  the  better  of  the  argument, 
you  being  judge  '.  " 

"  Well,  sir,  1  must  coufess  to  great  disappointment.     I  never,  for 
one  moment,  questioned  the  ability  of  our  people  at  home  to  prove 
the  sinfulness  of  slavery,  to  show   that  it  was  a  palpable  violation  of 
the  teachings  of  the  Bible.     1  have  so  often  heard  it  denounced,  by 
•our  best  and  ablest  men,  not  only  as  wrong,  and  sinful,  but  as  villain- 
ous :  I  have  heard  every  epithet  applied  to  it  which  human  ingenuity 
and  eloquence  could  invent :  till  I  had    no  idea  that  an  intellijrent 
and  pious  man,  such  as  1  know  uncle  to  be,  would  ever  attempt  a 
defense"  of  it.     Slave-holders   have   been  accused  of  such  manifest 
injustice,  oppression  and  cruelty  to  their  slaves,  that  my  feelings  of. 
humanity  have  often  shuddered  at  the  thought.     I  believed  all  was 
true,  and  true  of  all  masters,  for  universal  cruelty  has  been  asserted, 
and  I -had  no  means  of  disproving  it,  even  if  I  had  possessed  the  disposi- 
tiou,  but  even  that  was  wanting.    I  really  believed  that  Southerners 
were  as  bad  as  untutored,  idolatrous  barbarians.     Nor  was  I  alone  in 
this  opinion;  the  masses  of  the  people  have  no  means  of  information 
as  to  the  character  of  you  Southerners,  except  what  they  read  in  our 
popular  newspapers,  nine-tenths  of  which  are  abolition  sheets,  and 
their  editors  as  ignorant  as  those  whom  they  would  enlighten,  or  else 
they   are   wickedly   deceiving  the   people.     Occasionally    we  in  the 
villages  have  a  lecturer,  but  they  are  under  the  employ  of  societies 
which  send  them  out  to  raise  funds  for  the  'amelioration  of  the 
colored  people. '     They  usually  draw  horrid   pictures  of  Southern 
oppression  and  brutality,  all  of  which  is  received  as  gospel  truth, 
I  assure  yoti,  if  our  Northern  people  could  see  slavery,  as  presented 
in  its  practical  workings,  and  as  taught  in  the  Bible,  I  verily  believe 
there  would  be  a  radical  revolution  in  public  sentiment.  " 

<' 1  think  it  doubtful,"  said  Mr.  M.     "The  masses  are  always 

controlled  by  the  greater  minds.     At  the  North,  these  greater  minds 

are  designing  politicians,  and  whatever  will  effect  political  capital  for 

them,  will  be  the  last  from  which  they  will  be  willing  to  part.     They 

M 


98  NELLIE  NORTON 

can  never  be  convinced.  Then  you  have  a  class  of  religionists,  with 
whom  humauUi/  is  the  supreme  law  of  right;  the  word  of  the 
Divine  Being  is  of  inferior  authority.  They  would  abandon  the 
Bible  if  they  thought  it  a  pro-slavery  book.  These  two  classes 
include  the  leading  politicians  and  many  of  the  most  prominent 
among  the  clergy.  These  exert  an  irresistible  influence  upon  the 
people,  and  they  can  lead  them  anywhere,  even  to  ruin  :  towards 
which  they  are  now  rapidly  tending.  " 

"  I  had  very  honestly  thought,  "'  said  Nellie,  'that  negro  slaves 
were  the  most  ignorant,  debased,  oppressed  and  miserable  people  in 
the  world;  that  the  serfs  of  the  veriest  despot  upon  earth  enjoyed  a 
paradise  of  happiness  couipared  with  thcui  :  but  I  am  happily  dis- 
appointed in  finding  them  the  mo.st  cheeri'ul,  virtuous,  pious  and  con- 
tented dependents  I  have  ever  seen.  I  can  say  of  every  plantation 
I  have  seen,  as  Miss  Murray  did  of  one  in  this  portion  of  Georgia  : 
"  A  happy  attached  negro  population  surrounds  this  abode;  I  never 
saw  servants  in  an  old  English  family  more  comfortable,  or  more 
devoted  ;  it  is  quite  a  relief  to  see  anything  so  patriarchal,  after  the 
apparently  uncomfortable  relations  of  masters  and  servants  in  the 
Northern  States.  I  should  much  prefer  being  a  '  slave  '  here,  to  a 
grumbling,  saucy  '  help  '  there,  "  Miss  M.  asks  a  question  which  I 
presume  none  of  oiir  Northern  or  English  Abolitionists  can  answer 
in  the  aihrmative  :  '  Is  there  any  part  ol"  Africa,  the  West  Indies,  or 
South  America,  where  three  millions  of  negroes  are  to  be  found  as 
comfortable,  intelligeut  and  religious,  or  as  happy  as  in  the  Southern 
States?'  She  says,  also,  'The  system  of  slavery  has  been  blamed 
for  the  ignorance  and  vices  of  the  Africans:  are  they  less  ignorant 
or  more  virtuous  where  slavery  does  not  exist '!  It  has  pleased 
Providence  to  make  them  barbarian,  and  as  barbarian  they  must  be 
governed,  however  Christian  may  be  the  feelings  and  principles  of 
their  masters. '  The.se  are  sensible  views,  if  they  did  come  from  a 
woman,  Mr.  Mortimer.  " 

•'Certainly,  madam,"  said  Mr.  Mortimer,  smiling,  "  the  ladies  are 
the  only  connecting  link  that  binds  us  to  the  angels,  and  they  are 
constant  remembrancers  of  purity  and  perfection.  I  have  often 
wished  I  was  a  lady,  but  recently  I  have  concluded  to  be  content,  if 
I  can  only  obtain  one  for  my  better  self.  But  to  return  to  our 
subject.  I  wonder  that  the  refined  sympathies  of  Northern  and 
English  philanthropists  are  not  more  excited  by  the  oppressed  of 
other  lands.  Their  objections  to  slavery  seem  to  grow  out  of  the 
abstract  idea  of  slavery,  rather  than  from  the  physical  and  moral 


NELLIE   NORTON.  99 

condition  ;  or  else  it  feeds  upon  envy  of  the  wealth  and  prosperity  of 
the  South.  They  seem  not  to  be  moved  by  the  sufiFerings  of  those 
who  are  nominally  free.  There  is  tenfold  more  sufferings  in  some 
portions  of  the  world  among  the  Caucasian,  than  in  the  South 
among  the  African  race.  Indeed,  there  are  many  in  every  land, 
whose  physical,  moral  and  intellectual  condition  is  unspeakably 
inferior  to  our  slaves.  Yet  these  poor  sufferers  of  other  lands  excite 
no  sympathy  in  their  behalf  I  will  give  you  one  instance  of  labor 
and  suffering,  ignorance  and  degi'adation.  It  exists  in  the  Bramptoi^ 
coal  pits  in  England,  'where  if  their  own  citizens  were  blessed  with 
the  liberty  and  ease  of  our  slaves,  it  would  be  a  most  glorious  act  of 
emancipation.'  " 

"  Boys  from  eight  to  twelve  years  old  are  forced  to  pass  through 
narrow  pits,  where  each  has  a  space  of  two  feet  headway  j  they  go 
half-bent,  because  they  cannot  straighten  ;  the  mud  through  which 
they  pass  is  one  or  two  inches  deep  ;  they  draw  their  barrows  with 
one  hundred  weight  of  coal,  sixty  yards,  sixty  times  a  day.  That  is 
four  miles  a  day  through  mud  and  water,  half-bent  or  on  their  knees, 
and  half  that  distance  with  a  rolling  load  of  one  hundred  pounds." 

Were  slavery  to  impose  such  labor,  a  cry  of  holy  horror  would  go 
up  from  every  nation. 

"  Robert  North,  one  of  the  miners,  says:  '  I  went  into  the  pit  at 
seven  years  of  age  to  fill  skips.  I  drew  about  twelve  months.  When 
I  drew  by  the  girdle  and  chain,  my  skin  was  broken,  and  the  blood 
ran  down.  I  durst  not  say  anything.  If  we  said  anything,  the 
butty,  and  the  reeve  who  works  under  him,  would  take  a  stick  and 
beat  us. ' 

"  Here  was  a  boy  harnessed  as  a  beast,  and  worked  and  treated  as  a 
brute.  No  parallel  to  this  inhumanity  can  be  found  on  slave  plan- 
tations in  the  South.  But  hundreds  such  occur  in  the  Brampton 
coal  mines. 

"  The  wages  paid  to  these  degraded,  ignorant  serfs,  is  from  82  50 
to  $7  50  per  month,  according  to  age  and  ability,  and  out  of  this 
they  must  support  themselves.     They  work  twelve  hours  each  day. 

"  The  destitution  and  suffering  in  England  is  fearful.  In  a  report 
made  to  Parliament  by  its  commi.ssioners,  it  is  stated  that  forty 
thousand  persons  in  Liverpool,  and  fifteen  thousand  in  Manchester, 
live  in  cellars,  while  twenty  thousand  in  England  pass  the  night  in 
barns,  tents,  or  the  open  air.  '  There  have  been  found  such  occur- 
rences as  seven,  eight,  or  ten  persons  in  one  cottage,  I  cannot  say  for 
xjne  day,  but  for  whole  day^  without  one  morsel  of  food.     They  have 


100  XKUvTK  sahttifj. 

remained  on  their  beds  of  strar  }or  two  surijissivc  dtiy»,  tfnder  the 
Ipiffression  that  io  a  recumbent  postnre  the  panj^  of  hunjjer  were 
le^s  felt.'  No  fiiich  dchtitutioo  as  this  is  knuwn  in  the  South,  either 
amonr;  the  whites  or  blacks. 

"The  morals  of  this  wretched  cliiss  just  alluded  to,  if  indeed  thej 
can  be  said  to  have  any,  arc  of  the  lowci-t  irrade.  *  A  /nir»'r  condition  of 
morals, '  says  an  oye-wiiness,  *  iu  the  Jullett  ."en.-^e  of  the  teriu,  could 
not,  I  think,  be  found.  They  have  no  morals.  Their  appearance, 
#  manner?  and  morals,  po  far  as  thi;  word  morals  can  be  applied  to 
them,  are  in  accordance  with  their  hulf-ciTilized  conditions.  Thctr 
ignorance  is  not  less  astoandipg. '  Robert  Crucilow,  aged  16  vearfl, 
irheh  catechised,  answered:  '  I  don't  know  anything  of  Closes 
Never  heard  of  France.  I  don't  know  what  America  it*.  Never 
beard  of  Scotland  or  Ireland.  Can't  tell  how  many  Weeks  in  a  year. ' 
Ann  Epgly,  aged  \^,  said:  'I  never  go  to  church  or  chapel.  / 
never  Juard  of  Christ  at  ull.  '  Others  suid  :  '  The  Lord  sent  Adam 
and  Eve  on  earth  to  save  sinners.  I  don't  know  who  made  the 
world.  I  never  heard  about  God.  I  don't  know  Jesus  C'hrist.  1 
never  saw  him,  but  I  have  seen-  Foster,  who  prays  about  him.  '  The 
employer  said  to  the  catechiser,  '  You  seem  surprised  at  Thomas 
Mitchel's  not  hearing  of  God.  I  judge  there  are  few  collier?  here- 
about who  have. '  Slavery  could  not  Le  worse  than  thJs,  were  it  all 
that  its  Worst  enemies  have  represented  it  to  be.  Jint  all  this  hard 
labor,  vice,  i)Overty,  and  ignorance,  is  in  glorious  Old  England,  our 
father-laud,  whose  very  air  is  perfumed  with  the  iucense  of  liberty 
Of  whom  Cowper  says : 

"  Slaves  cannot  breathe  in  Jjiglnud,  if  llioir  luugJT 
Receive  our  air,  that  momcnl  thoy  aro  fr^e. 
They  touch  onr  country,  nnd  tlieir  shackles  fal) 
That's  uoble,  and  bespeaks  a  iiiilion  proud    . 
And  jealous  of  th&  blsssiD^r.  " 

•'  Yes,  free,  indeed.  Free  tb  live  in  ignorance  of  (iod,  free  to  beaf 
a  heavier  y«  ke  of  bondage  than  ever  galled  the  neck  of  slave  in 
Southerland.  Free  to  ptarre  for;  bread,  free  to  go  naked,  free  to  go 
houseless^  homeless,  friendless.  If  this  be  freedon),  give  me 
slavery.  Would  it  not  be  interesting  to  see  one  of  the  poor  straw- 
ridden  skeletons  of  Liverpool  or  Manchester,  or  of  Lowel  in  your 
own  New  England,  for  there  are  hundreds  such  there,  totter  to  their 
door,  and  feebly  thrunting  out  their  pale  wan  faces,  cry  out, 

"  0  Liberty, 
Parent  of  happioesa.  " 


5fj:llie  Norton.  Wi 

And  thfifi  he'Sfin  hollow  totfes  from  a  spectral  object  across  the  street^ 
echo  back  the  sentiment, 

"Tis  liherty  alone  tliat  gives  tlie  flower 
Of  fleeting  life  its  lustre  and  perfume, 
And  we  are  weeds  without  it.  " 

Then  let  sc«ne  slave  from  the  South,  pampered  o?i  the  fat  ol  th«" 
land,  as  they  generally  arc,  respond  in  the  fullness  of  his  heart, 

"  So  let  them  ease  their  hearts  ts'ith  prate 

Of  equal  riglits,  xchich  man  7ie'er  kvew, 

I  love  a  freedom  too  " — 

A  freedom  from  the  cares  of  state, 

A  freedom  which  is  known  by  few — ' 

Contentment,  plenty,  peace. 

"  Whete  did  you  obtain  the  facts  to  which  yoa  hate  just  deferred v 
ibout  the  poor  miners?"  said  Nellie^ 

"  From  the  report  of  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  Parliament. 
I  have  referred  to  only  a  few  of  the  facts  contained  in  that  report. 
Some  things  are  sdid  about  their  moral  condition,  and  also  the  poor 
alluded  to,  that  so  shocks  our  moral  tense,  that  I  hare  not  mentioned 
them.  The  truth  is,  Miss  Norton,  negro  slavery  is  infinitely  to  be 
preferred  before  the  pauper  freedom  and  serf-vagrancy  and  degrada- 
tion of  England  and  the  North.  Negro  freedom  would  be  no  better. 
Indeed,  it  cannot  exist;  it  never  has  in  the  past,  it  never  will  in  the 
future,  in  that  enlightened  and  virtuous  fcuse,  with  which  it  should 
alone  be  connected.  Break  the  chains  of  involuntary  servitude,  and 
they  will  reconstruct  them  by  entering  into  voluntary  slavery,  or 
what  is  worse,  become  nuisanfces  to  society,  and  perhaps  starve  at 
last.  God  has  united  slavery  and  negroes,  and  no  man  can  put  them 
asunder.  Nominally  he  may,  but  really  he  cannot.  It  i.s  their 
natural  condition  ;  their  whole  organism,  mental,  moral  and  physical, 
proves  their  providential  adaptation  to  it.  They  are  vaitly  our 
inferiors,  and  of  this  they  themselves  have  a  most  feeHtig  conscious- 
ness. Even  in  Africa,  a  white  man  is  looked  up  to  as  some  superior 
personage,  as  wc  are  told  by  Kcv.  Mr.  Bowen,  Tfho  Was  for  many 
years  a  missionary  among  them.  Their  faculties  are  developed,  in  a 
state  of  slavery,  more  successfully  and  to  a  higher  degree  than  can 
be  effected  in  any  other  condition.  This  has  been  demonstrated  by 
the  emancipation  experiment  made  in  Hayti,  Our  slaves  are  vastly 
Baperior,  morally  and  intellectually,  to  the  Africans  of  that  island. 
Kot  because  they  are  naturally  superior,  for  they  are  not,  but  simply 
for  the  reason  that  they  are  where   providence  placed  them.     They 


102  NELLIB   NORTON. 

are  ruore  honest,  more  virtuous,  better  cyntcnlcd,  and  freer  from  the 
teniptutions  which  will  surely  lead  this  imbecile  and  plastic  people 
into  error.  I  con  say,  ^^-ithout  the  ftar  of  succcfihful  contradiction^ 
that  there  is  less  crime  in  the  South,  to  the  population,  than  any- 
where else,  even  among  your  own  citizcn.<«,  who  consider  us  but  one 
grade  jibuvc  the  barbarian.  This  being  true.  Knjriand  would  eon- 
tribute  larj^oly  to  the  cauhc  of  niornlity.  virtue,  religion,  aud  more 
especially  to  human  happiness,  were  it  apjiin  to  enslave  it*  West 
India  neproes.  " 

"  How  do  you  prove  that  there  is  less  crime  at  the  South,  to  the 
population,  than  anywhere  else!''  I/io  not  acquiesce  in  your  opinion. 
Our  people  may  be  (frcrimi  about  slavery,  and  therefore  oppose  that 
whivh  is  right,  but  we  are  a  law-abidin^j,  virtuous  aixi  christian 
pcojile.  " 

"  I  eatabli.^h  my  assertion  by  statistical  facts,  published  by  your- 
selves, and  therefore  ought  to  be  correct,  for  a  people  are  not  apt  to 
make  themselves  appear  worse  than  they  really  are  : 

"  The  population  of  Massachusetts  in  1S50  wsfs  nine  hundred  and 
ninety-four  thousand  five  hundred  and  fourteen.  Out  of  that 
number  there  were  seven  thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty  convictions 
for  crinje.  In  ^'irginia,  in  the  .same  year,  there  was  a  population  of 
one  millioti  four  hundred  and  twenty-one  thousand  six  hundred  and 
sixty-one,  and  out  of  this  number  there  were  only  one  hundred  and 
seven  convictions  for  crime.  In  Boston,  one  male  out  of  fourteen,  and 
one  female  out  of  twenty-eight,  was  arraigned  for  crime.  The  records 
of  our  criminal  courts  show  nu  such  alarming  state  of  demoraliza<^ 
tion  any  where  in  the  South." 

"  0  '  is  this  l;Jonaventure  ?  How  beautiful,  how  picturesque.  These 
spreudin;;  oaks,  with  their  long  arms  reaching  up  towards  heaven  as  if 
they  wouldi embrace  their  Maker.  That  beautilul  moss,  so  exquisite, 
that  ha^igs  like  long  drawn  veils,  as  if  to  half  conceal  their  natural 
loveliness,  bnt  which  really  adds  so  many  charms  to  this  unique 
nfuubolouiii  of  the  dead.  Kden  was  made  for  the  living,  it  therefore 
had  its  fiowers,  its  i'ruits,  its  songsters  ;  but  Bonaventure  was  made 
for  the  dead,  it  therefore  has  neither.  Still  as  night,  somber  as  the 
tomb,  sweetly  sad,  with  a  melancholy  visible  every  where,  so  well 
suited  for  the  last  resting  place  of  the  noble  dead. 

\^  "  'Tis  a  poodly  scene —  • 

Yon  river,  like  a  silvery  snake  lays  out 
His  coil  i'  til'  sunsliine  lovinKly,  it  breathes 
Of  freshness  iu  this  lap  of  flourless  meadows." 


NELLIE  NORTON.  lOS 

But  mj^ readers  do  not  wish  to  hear  all  the  enraptured  maiden  said 
of  Bonaventure.  So  we  will  return  to  the  residence  of  Mr.  Thomp. 
son,  and  hear  more  of  slavery.  Some  new  views  are  doubtless  to  be 
presented  by  him^  which  may  prove  interesting  and  profitable  to  the 
inquirer  after  truth. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

Who  irere  enslaved  hy  the  Hebrews — Hlstori/  nf  the  descendavts  oj 
Canaan — Jewish  slaves  and  Southern  slaves  Jroni  the  same  ances- 
try—  The  ncijro  incapable  of  meiitnl development — Nellie's  soliloquy. 

"  As  you  bave  attempted  to  establish  slavery  from  the  Bible,"  said 
Dr.  Pratt,  "  and  as  the  descendants  of  Ham  alone  were  to  be  ensla- 
ved ;  tell  me  how  you  proceed  to  derive  Southern  slavery  from  Bible 
slavery.  Do  you  hold  in  bondage  the  people  doomed  by  God  to 
slavery  ?  and  if  so,  did  tbe  Jews  the  same  ?  I  think  you  will  find 
this  a  knotty  question,  and  though  you  may  succeed  in  the  answer  to 
your  own  satisfaction,  your  arguments  will,  I  opine,  be  too  feeble  to 
convince  any  one  else.  But  I  must  not  condemn  before  I  hear  you. 
So  proceed.'' 

"  The  first  question  to  be  settled,"  said  Mr.  Thompson,  "  is,  ^\'ho 
were  enslaved  by  the  Hebrews?  It  lean  succeed  in  proving  that 
they  were  the  descendants  of  Ham,  then  it  follows  that  the  Hebrews 
and  we,  under  the  Divine  injunction,  hold  in  bondage  the  same 
people,  and  that  slavery  now  is  what  it  was  under  the  Jewish  Theo- 
cracy, and  is  the  same  which  Christ  and  his  Apostles  so  emphatically 
sanctioned  in  after  years;  as  I  will  show  when  the  time  arrives. 

'*  Whom  did  the  Jews  bring  under  bondage  ?  "  Of  the  heathen  that 
•are  among  you,  of  them  shall  ye  buy  bondmen  and  bondmaids." 
Then  they  were  the  heathen  who  inhabited  the  land  when  the  Jews 
went  up  to  possess  it.     This  you  will  not  deny." 

"I  grant  it,"  said  Dr.  P. 

"  Then,  who  were  theee  heathens  ?  In  the  9th  Chapter  of  Joshua 
we  are  informed  they  were  the  Hittite  and  the  Amorite,  the  Caipan- 
ite,  the  Perizzite,  the  Hivite  and  the  Jebusite."  These  tribe^ere 
desceniled  from  Heth,  Jehus,  Henor  or  Amor,  Gorgafchi,  Hevie  or 
Hivi  and  Canaan.     The  above  were  six  of  the  eleven  sons  of  Caoaan. 


104  NELLIE  NORTON. 

After  the  confusion  of  tongues  at  Babci,  they  Ptni}rrat<M  to  this 
goodly  IaucI.  wliere  they  were  liriog  io  the  <l:iys  of  Abmham,  for  he 
purchased  a  Luryiof;  {rround  of  Hoth.  They  wore  there  in  the  days 
of  Isaac  and  Jacob,  ior  Ksau  grieved  his  parents  by  ui;irryin<;  one  of 
the  daughters  of  the  same  tribe,  hence  Jacob  was  sent  back  to  take  a 
trife  from  atuon*;  his  futh<;r'.s  kindred.  When  Joshua  led  the  Israelites 
into  lhi«  land  of  uiilk  and  houev,  theso  six  tribes  confederated  to- 
l^cther  to  drive  him  out,  hut  tliey  were  defeated,  routed  and  terribly 
eluughtcrcd.  Some  fled  back  to  Africa,  8(»iue  were  cxicrminated  and 
the  rest  were  enslaved.  The  other  suns  of  Canaan  livt-d  in  the  adja- 
cent country,  and  many  ot  tbcm  were  ^'radually  brought,  like  the 
(jibeonites  to  be  '•  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of  water,"  for  the 
Hebrews.  Now  sir,  I  have  shown  you,  that  the  slaves  among  the 
Jews  were  descended  from  Llatn.  80  I  will  proceed. — Tho.se  who 
fled  the  country,  may  be  traced  by  the  light  of  history.  Procoporu.s 
Hayi :  *' They  first  retreated  into  Kgypt — but  advanced  into  Africa, 
where  they  buiU  many  cities,  and  spread  theuisolves  over  those  vast 
rep;ions,  ivhich  reach  to  the  straits,  preserving  their  old  language,  with 
but  little  alteration."  In  the  time  of  Athanasius,  these  people  still 
said,  they  were  descended  from  Canaan,  and  when  asked  their  origin 
they  would  answer,  "  Canani." 

"  Who  was  this  historian,  upon  whom  you  seem  to  rely  ?     I  can- 
not call  him  to  mind.     Is  he  a  credible  witness"/  "  said  Dr.  1*. 

"  Procoporus,  or  as  he  is  sometimes  culled,  Proeopius,  wa.s  one  of 
the  most  celebrated  historians  of  the  Eastern  Kmpire.  He  was  born 
in  Cesarea,  in  Palestine,  and  wa.s  afterward.s  professor  of  Ithetoric  in 
Constantinople.  Athanasius.  you  recognise  as  u  celebrated  christian 
biishop  of  the  fourth  century,  and  an  Egyptian  by  birth.  He  had 
every  opportunity  cf  knowing  the  facts  whereof  he  affirmed.  '  In 
the  uiouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses  every  word  shall  be  established.' 
Now  I  have  proven  :  1.  That  the  Jews  enslaved  the  Canaanites,  i.  e. 
those  who  were  descended  from  Canaan.  2.  That  many  of  those 
who  escaped  the  swcrd  fled  back  to  Africa,  and  populated  that  vast 
and  almost  unknown  continent.  3.  That  eighteen  hundred  years 
after  the  cotujuost  by  Jo.shua,  they  were  spreading  over  the  dark 
land  of  Ham.  and  tracing  their  lineage,  by  tradition,  back  to  'Cana- 
ni.' The  Jebusitcs,  you  will  remember,  could  not  be  dislodged 
frorajllteir  strong  hold  by  Joshua.  It  remained  for  David  to  storm 
their  citadel  and  reduce  them  to  vassalage,  taking  their  city  for  his 
capital.  V'ou  will  remember,  algo,  that  the  inhabitants  of  Gibeon, 
a  pity  of  the  Canaanites,  when  they  heard  of  the  destruction  of 


NELLIE   NORTON.  105 

Jerieho  and  Ai,  by  Joshua,  made  a  treaty  of  peace  with  him,  deceiv- 
ing him  as  to  what  nation  they  belonged.  He  afterwards  made  thera, 
as  has  before  been  mentioned,  *  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of 
water,'  that  is,  he  reduced  them  to  slavery." 

"Are  you  sure,"  said  the  Doctor,  "that  a  more  learned  investiga- 
tion of  this  subject  will  sustain  you  in  the  views  presented  ?  " 

"  I  think,"  said  Mr.  T.,  "  more  light  might  be  obtained  to  prove 
the  correctness  of  my  position,  if  we  had  the  facilities  at  hand  for 
further  investigation.  Dr.  Gill,  one  of  the  most  profoundly  learned 
commentators,  and  a  man  who  arrived  at  his  conclusions  fronj  the 
deepest  research,  throws  some  additional  light  on  this  subject.  He 
says,  that  some  of  the  most  ancient  versions  of  the  Bible  read, 
<  the  father  of  Canaan,'  others  'Canaan,'  and  says,  *  as  both,  the 
father  and  son  were  guilty,  the  curse  rested  upon  both;'  that  Ca- 
naan means  'to  depress,  humble,  and  make  mean,  and  abject.'  'God 
shall  enlarge  Japheth,  and  Canaan  shall  be  his  servant,'  means,  says 
Dr.  Gill,  '  that  the  posterity  of  Canaan  shall  be  servants  to  the  pos- 
terity of  Shem.  This  was  fulfilled  in  the  time  of  Joshua,  when 
the  Israelites,  who  sprang  from  Shem,  conquered  the  land  of  Cajiaan, 
slew  thirty  of  their  kings,  and  took  their  cities  and  possessed  them, 
and  made  the  Gibeouites,  one  of  the  cities  of  Canaan,  hewers  of 
wood  and  drawers  of  water,  or  the  most  mean  and  abject  servants. 
The  posterity  of  Canaan  servants  to  the  posterity  of  Japheth ;  as 
they  were  when  Tyre,  which  was  built  by  the  SLdonians  and  Sidon, 
which  had  its  name  from  the  eldest  son  of  Canaan,  fell  into  the 
hands  of  Alexander  the  Grecian  who  sprang  from  Japheth  ;  and 
when  Carthage,  a  colony  of  the  Phoenicians  of  Canaan's  race,  was  ' 
taken  and  demolished  by  the  the  Romans  of  the  line  of  Japheth, 
which  made  Hannibal  a  child  of  Canaan  j?ay,  ignoccrt  sc  fortunam 
CarthaginiK,  that  he  owned  the  fate  of  Carthage,  and  in  which  some 
have  thought  that  he  refers  to  this  prophecy.'  "  ' 

"  I,  at  least,  am  satisfied  uncle,"  said  2i'ellie,  "  that  you  have 
proved  all  you  proposed.  Whether  the  Canaanites  held  in  service 
by  the  Jews,  had  black  skias  and  woolly  heads,  white  eyes  and  ivory 
teeth,  I  do  not  know,  or  whether,  by  some  interposition  of  Divine 
Providence,  this  mark  has  been  put  upon  them  since,  I  cannot  tell, 
nor  is  it  necessary  to  know  ;  suffice  it  to  say,  they  were  of  the  same 
blood,  and  doubtless  bore  the  same  physiological  marks.  It  doe-s 
really  seem  to  me  that  our  Maker  has  placed  a  physical  difference 
between  us,  as  wide  as  the  conditions  between  master  and  slave. 
He  has  stamped  in/crioritj/  upon  the  negro.     This  mark,  like  that 


106  XELLIK   NORTON. 

in-  the  forehead  of  Cain,  is  one  of  which  he  cannot  rid  himself, 
whether  in  Miissachusctts,  Africa  or  (Jcortria.  It  has  been  placed 
there  by  the  hand  of  God,  and  none  but  lie  can  remove  it." 

^You  frequently  hear  of  the  black  j«/i:i'/i  of  the  negro,"  said  Mr. 
Thompson,  "  as  though  by  pome  accident  of  climate  or  occupation, 
or  mode  of  life,  his  skin  had  become  so;  but  he  is  Ihtrk  to  ihe  bone. 
Open  his  mouth,  look  down  his  throat,  dissect  him,  and  you  will 
find  he  in  no  more  a  white  man  internally  than  he  is  externally. 
Examine  his  head  phrcnologically,  and  you  will  find  he  belongs  to 
the  prognathou*  species  of  mankind — that  is,  that  the  jaws  are  be- 
fore, or  anterior  to  the  brain.  This  is  not  the  case  with  the  Caucas- 
ian or  Mongolian  races;  but  it  is  a  feature  of  the  monkey  and  of 
the  orangoutang.  Now,  Doctor,  don't  become  restless,  as  though  you 
thought  I  was  going  to  prove  the  negro  nut  to  be  of  the  genus 
homo — no  burh  thing.  He  is  u  man — a  human  being.  Nor  do  1 
intend  to  deny  the  unity  of  the  race.  But  to  show  that  every 
development  of  body  and  brain,  skin  aud  wool,  show  them  to  be 
designed  by  their  creator  for  a  different  sphere  in  life,  and  aa  inferior 
position  ^to  the  white  man.  Now,  Doctor,  I  assure  you  it  is  worth 
the  time  it  will  occupy,  for  a  scientific  man  to  investigate  this  sub- 
ject. It  will  prove  to  any  mind  that  God  never  designed  the  Afri- 
can to  be  equal  with  the  while  man.  It  also  j»roved  that  no  devel- 
opment of  the  negro  character  can  make  him  a  full  man,  capable 
of  all  the  responsible  duties  of  t»elf-governmeut.  Wilberforce,  and 
other  Kngli.sh  .statesmen  of  his  day,  entertained  high  hopes  of  the 
future  development  ol  this  race,  as  their  speeches  in  l*arliamcut, 
their  zeal  for  emancipation,  and  the  power  they  exerted,  weem  to 
indicate.  IJut  their  hopes  were  not  realized,  indeed  they  were  sadly 
disappointed.  For  us  soon  as  the  wholesome  restraints  of  slavery 
were  removed,  he  became  an  indolent  good-for-nothing  vagabond. 
lie  retrogradfed  rapidly  towards  that  point  from  which  he  started 
when  ho  was  brought  from  the  dark  and  superstitious  land  of  his 
fathers. 

"  You  may  suppose  they  would  advance  in  knowledge  if  they 
could  re&d  and  had  facilities  at  their  command,  but  such  is  not  the 
fact.  I  suppose  there  uro  at  luast  five  thousand  negroes  in  Georgia 
who  can  read,  but  out  of  that  number,  I  presume  there  are  not 
twenty  who  ever  read  anything  but  the  Bible  aud  hymn  book — and 
yet  these  are  the  most  intelligent  and  enterprising  of  their  race. 
Thev  never  read  for  pleasure  or  for  information,  but  from  a  sense  of 
duty.  They  have  no  thirst  for  knowledge,  no  desire  for  information. 


NELLIE   NORTON.  107" 

One  negro  alone  in  G-eorgia  has  ever  shown  a  knowledge  of  any- 
thing beyond  the  medium  of  his  class.  The  only  negro,  so  far  as  I 
know,  who  has  ever  written  nnvthing  original  in  the  South,  It  is  a 
singular  and  significant  fact  that  he  wrote  a  pamphlet  against  Black 
Republicanism,  and  in  favor  of  the  system  which  held  him  in  bond- 
age, for  he  was  a  slave.  Ordinarily,  -^hen  they  read  they  do  not 
comprehend.  Their  minds  seem  dark,  obtuse.  To  illustrate,  there 
was  a  pious  mistress  who  took  great  pains  in  learning  a  servant  boy 
to  read;  taught  him  herself,  with  great  care, and  furnished  him  with 
every  private  facility  for  improvement  as  he  grew  up.  One  day, 
after  he  was  grown,  he  was  setting  reading  to  his  mistress  the  third 
chapter  of  John.  He  came  to  the  words,  "  Verily,  verily,  I  say 
unto  you,  ye  must  be  born  again."  He  had  been  taught  to  call  on 
his  mistress  for  instruction  whenever  he  felt  the  need  of  it.  So 
turning  to  her,  he  said  '  Missy,  was  Verily  the  brother  of  Jesus, 
or  who  was  he  ?  '  '  Why  do  you  ask  such  a  question  ?  '  said  she. 
♦  Because  he  is  talking  to  Verily.  He  .'(ays,  Verily,  verily,  1  say 
unto  you,  and  as  he  was  talking  so  much  to  him,  T  wanted  to  know 
who  he  was.' 

"Many  of  our  negro  preachers,  indeed  most  of  them,  can  read, 
and  yef  they  pronounce  words  just  like  the  illiterate  ones  do.  Now 
and  then  you  will  find  an  exception  to  this,  but  it  is  seldom. 

"  These  facts  prove  what  the  negro  is.  You  may  settle  it  in  your 
mind  forever,  that  man  can  make  no  more  of  the  negro  than  his 
Maker  designed  he  should  be." 

"Then."  said  the  Doctor,  tauntingly,  "you  suppose  that  his 
Maker  designed  that  he  should  always  be  a  poor  ignorant  slave,  do 
you  ?  " 

"  1  think  uncle  has  already  proved  that,"  said  Nellie.  "  He  has 
asserted  nothing  but  what  he  has  substantiated  by  satisfactory  testi- 
mony, to  me  at  least.  But  I  thought  you  were  going  into  the  dis- 
cussion of  slavery,  as  taught  in  the  New  Testament.  After  all, 
perhaps  my  good  uncle  is  reluctant  to  come  directly  to  the  question 
in  the  clearer  light  of  the  gospel  dispensation.  Perhaps  he  prefers 
Moses  and  the  prophets  as  witnesses,  rather  than  Christ  and  hia 
Apostles.  Now,  uncle,  don't  mietify  the  subject,  don't  run  off  from 
it  after  shadows,  trying  to  convince  us  that  they  are  collateral  points 
of  the  great  issue,  as  I  heard  a  young  lawyer  once  say.  But  seri- 
ously, I  am  very  anxious  to  have  you  return  to  the  divine  stan^lard, 
the  kw  and  the  testimony." 


103  NELLIE   NORTON. 

"And  80  am  1,"  said  the  Doctor,  as  if  he  really  thought  Mf. 
Thompson  desired  to  avoid  the  issue. 

•'  And  80  am  I,"  said  Mr.  Thompson. 

"But,"  interposed  Mrs.  Thompson,  "  i  hope  you  do  not  intend  to 
sit  up  all  night.  Ik  temperate  in  all  things,  is  in  the  Bible,  as  \rel] 
as  slavery.  I  think  you  had  better  sleep  on  the  subject,  and  rest  till 
to-niorrow  night,  and  then  we  all  will  li.?tcn  to  you  with  deeper 
interest." 

"  I  always  submit  to  whatever  the  ladies  say,'"  said  ])r.  P.  *'  But 
I  wish  a  wiird  with  my  little  truant  pet  about  her  visit  to  Bonaven-- 
ture,  before  we  retire." 

"  I  suppose,  Nellie,  the  real  pleasure  wa.s  as  jrreat  as  anticipated, 
and  you  had  a  delightful  time  with  your  excellent  younjf  friend. 
Did  you  find  him  all  your  heart  desired — all  you  could  wish  for  ? " 

*•  He  is  a  perfect  Adonis  in  persun,  as  you  perceive,"  replied 
Nellie.  '"  Ho  in  not  ?o  wi.se  asr*olomon,  I  presume,  but  certainly  much 
more  interesting  to  7nr.  Bouaventure  is  an  exquisitely  beautiful 
place,  but  if  I  had  been  with  you  or  uncle  I  should  have  appreciated 
and  enjoyed  the  scene  much  more,  for  I  should  then  have  been  able 
to  pivc  it  my  whoft  attention — my  undivided  observation.  But  the 
greater  attraction  was  at  my  side,  iustcad  of  in  the  prospect.  Would 
you  wish  any  lurther  information  on  the  subject  ?  " 

"  1  do  not  wish  to  be  considered  impertinent,  and  therefore  fear  U> 
push  my  inquiries  further." 

"  I  am  glad  you  arc  so  chary  of  your  reputation.  It  |uight  be 
well  for  pa6tor^  not  to  a.sk  their  youn^'  lady  niomber-  too  many  (|ues- 
tious  about  their  young  gentlemen  a.ssociatos.  They  might  thereby 
'  lead  them  into  temptation,'  from  which  they  should  always  endeavor 
to  deliver  them.  So  good  night."  Nellie  aro.se  and  a.«cended  the 
flight  of  stairs  leading  to  her  room,  repeating  mentally  from  8peif«er  : 

"  Ijove  is  life's  end,  an  end,  l>iil  never  ending; 
All  joys,  all  swoets,  all  happiness  awarding  ; 
Love  is  life's  weallli  (ne'er  .spent,  but  ever  opeuding) 
More  rich  by  givinj;,  lukiug  by  discarding ; 
Love  'b  life's  reward,  rewarded  in  rewarding  ; 
Tlien  from  iliy  wretched  heart  fond  care  remove. 
Ah  !  should'st  thou  live  but  once  love's  sweets  to  prove, 
Thou  wilt  not  love  to  live,  unless  thou  live  to  love.'' 

"  Ah,"  said  she,  as  she  entered  her  room,  and  found  Alice  was 
soundly  sleeping,  "  I  would  not  have  had  that  old  bald-headed  abo- 
litionist— my  dear  good  pastur,  1  mean — to  have  seen  deep  down 


NELLIE  NORTON.  109 

in  my  heart  for  a  world.  T  am  afraid  my  tell-tale  face  betrayed  me. 
What  a  pity  I  was'ot  made  of  brass — no,  it  is'nt  cither,  for  then  I 
would'uc  enjoy  loving  as  I  do.  Why  it  is  a  real  pleasure,  1  do 
declare.  Who  would  have  believed  that  I,  a  Massachusetts  girl  of 
eighteen  summers,  holding  the  South  in  .^uch  unmitigated  contempt, 
and  looking  ur  on  its  people  as  but  half  civilized,  should  have  lallen 
so  violently  in  1-^ — - ;  pshaw,  what  am  I  talking  about.  But  he  is 
really  the  first  and  only  young  gentleman  I  ever  saw,  to  whom  I 
could  think  of  surrendering  my  heart.  And  to  think  he  is  the  only 
young  man  whose  acquaintance  1  have  formed  in  Georgia — wonder 
if  there  are  any  more  Mortimers  here — but  surely,  1  am  a  very  silly 
girl.     Well,  wonder  who  could  help  it 't     I  can't.     Mrs.  Tighe  is 

right  : 

"  0  have  you  never  known  the  silent  charm' 
That  undisturbed  retirement  yields  the  soul, 
"Where  no  intruder  mijfht  your  peace  alarm, 
And  tenderness  have  wept  without  control 
While  melting  fondness  o'er  the  bosom  stole ; 
Did  fancy  never  in  some  lonely  grove 
Abridge  the  hours  which  must  in  absence  roll  I 
Those  pensive  pleasures,  did  j-ou  never  prove  ? 
01  you  have  never  loved!     You  know  not  what  is  love." 

Hut  perhaps  my  reader  is  a  staid  old  bachelor,  or  a  sceptical  old 
maid,  whose  heart  was  never  touched  with  the  sentimental,  who  con- 
ceives all  such  feelings  as  sickly  and  childish,  and  who  would  rather 
hear, 

"  From  Greenland's  icy  mountain," 

than  to  spend  one  moment  in  eympathy  with  this  sweet  girl  who  is 
enjoying  the  happy  impulses  of  her  first  love.  Or  perhaps  some 
noble  specimen  of  a  true  man,  who  wishes  the  highest  success  to 
this  first  essay  of  my  unprocticed  pen,  may  prefer  Bible  facts  to 
love's  sweet  dreams  of  fancied  bliss.  Then  from  deference  to  what 
may  be  the  wishes  of  my  readers,  1  will  leave  Miss  Nellie's  happy 
thoughts  to  herself.  She  would  doubtless  take  it  as  an  unkindness 
in  me  to  spread  them  before  a  curious  public.  So.  wishing- sweet 
dreams,  and  a  happy  realization  of  these  bright  anticipations  at  an 
early  day,  to  our  young  heroine,  we  bid  her  good  night,  and  enter 
the  room  of  Dr.  Pratt  and  look  in  on  him  for  a  moment.  He  is 
reading  Miss  Murray's  travels.  Her  correspondent,  which  Dr.  P.  \» 
reading,  says : 

"  The  phenomenon  of  Africafl  slavery,  as  it  is  sometimes  called, 
is  in  truth  no  phenomenon  at  all.     Where  is    the  country  or  the 


110  NKLLIK  NORTON. 

period  of  histoid  wherein  slaverj  did  not  exist  in  some  shapo  or 
other?  Slavery  has  always  existed,  and  will  continue  so  long  as 
there  is  a  disparity  in  the  intellect  or  energy  of  men.  I  do  not 
enter  into  the  question  of  the  Unity  of  Races,  which  is  6uppo.scd  to 
be  derived  from  the  authority  of  the  Bible  :  it  will  be  sufhoient  to 
assert  that  (hi.<i  race,  known  as  the  Africon,  is  inferior  to  the  Cau- 
casian. As  a  people,  the  blacks  are  sensual  and  stupid,  lazy, 
improvident  and  vicious ;  unless  under  guidance,  they  have  no  idea 
of  cherishing  those  virtues  which  elevate  our  common  nature ;  they 
have  an  alacrity  for  sinking,  nothing  more.  In  their  own  country 
they  are  either  savages  or  slave","  (both  savages  and  slaves.)  There 
is  at  this  time,  and  there  has  been  for  long  periods,  a  large  nun)ber 
of  free  colored  people  in  the  slaveholding  and  non-slaveholding 
States  of  the  Union  ;  but  even  constant  attrition  against  Yankee 
hharpness  and  shrewdness  has  failed  to  elicit  one  scintillation  of 
talent  or  genius  from  this  race.  When  they  pass  from  bondage,  it  is 
only  to  swell  the  volume  of  insignificance  or  vice  which  has  charac- 
terized their  past  history.  But  besides  this,  I  would  remark  that  we 
should  reflect  upon  the  fact  of  slavery  niore  than  upon  the  manner 
of  its  regulation  The  Virginia  negro,  who  is  held  by  law  as  a 
siave,  is  really  little  more  a  slave  (not  half  so  much)  than  the  man 
who  works  in  the  mines  and  manufactories  of  England.  The  first  is 
held  in  subjection  by  a  wcll-deviscd  .system  of  police ;  the  other  by 
a  nt'Ct'tisif^  stronger  than  any  police.  It  is  no  answer  to  say  that  the 
Englishman  can,  if  he  chooses,  leave  his  employer — that  power  only 
cxist.s  in  theory,  as  the  penalty  for  severing  his  bonds  is  sturvafioiK 
His  real  master  is  capital,  which,  boingin  its  nature  greedy,  gra.sping 
:.Dd  selfish,  doles  out  to  hiinian  labor  the  smallest  possible  amount 
which  will  sustain  life,  and  ktep  the  working  machine  in  order. 
Then*  are  three  millions  of  slaves  in  the  Ignited  States,  and  they 
constitute  the  only  black  people  who  are  progressing  in  civilization 
and  Christianity,  who  are  orderly,  quiet,  contented  and  industrious. 
They  are  well  ffd,  well  clad,  and  in  physical  coinfort.s  will  compare 
advantageously  witl\  the  same  nuiriber  of  operatives  in  any  part  of 
Europe.  The  only  favorable  results  yet  marked  out  for  the  African 
race  are  duo  to  the  American  system  of  slavery." 

"  There  is  some  truth  in  this,"  said  the  Doctor  as  he  closed  tihe 
book  and  sat  musingly.  "  So  far  as  the  happiness  of  the  negro  is  to 
be  considered,  I  have  never  seen  free  negroes  at  the  North  so  happy, 
80  well  fed,  so  neatly  clad  as  Mr.  'fliompson's  are.  They  are  more 
virtuous  and  religious,  too,  than   those  North ;  indeed,  tkey  h«ve 


NELLIE   NORTON.  Ill 

better  religious  privileges,  and  a  deeper  sympathy  is  felt  for  tbem 
here  than  there.  We  have  not  done  justice  to  our  free  colored 
people.  We  look  down  upon  them,  we  frown  on  them,  we  will 
not  associate  with  them;  The  truth  is,  they  are  such  a  mean 
and  despicable  race  that  we  cannot  treat  them  otherwise  without 
contamination.  I  have  been  surprised  at  the  liberties  which  Mr. 
Thompson  and  his  slaves  take  with  each  other,  and  yet  they  are 
perfectly  subordinate,  and  really  seem  to  love  him.  Well,  there  is 
something  strange,  mysterious,  about  all  thisj  but  I  will  keep  my 
thoughts  to  myself.  It  will  never  do  for  me  to  change  my  sentiments — 
never!  But  really  Thompson  gets  the  advantage  of  me  at  every 
turn  ;  but  he  shall  never  know  that  I  feel  so.  1  may  be  wrong  in 
this  concealment,  but  I  cannot  help  it.  I  never  will  yield  to  a 
slaveholder. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Nellie's  Hint  to  her  Father — The  "  Golden  Rule"  and  Slavery — 
Dr.  ]Vai/land's  Admission — His  Subter/uffes  Exposed — Christ 
covld  not  enforce  Abolitionism,  and  there/ore  would  not  try — Left 
it  to  Modern  Abolitionists. 

The  following  day  was  spent  by  Nellie  in  writing  letters  to  her 
numerous  correspondents  at  home.  Among  others  she  wrote  to  her 
father,  of  whom  she  jocundly  inquired  if  he  would  not  like  a  nice 
little  winter  retreat  neatly  kept  by  iHs  little  Nell,  where  he  could 
escape  the  icy  bonds  of  the  New  England  winters,  and  concluded 
by  referring  him  for  further  information  on  the  subject,  if  he  desired 
it,  to  Mrs.  Julia  Norton. 

But  the  evening  arrived,  and,  after  tea  and  prayer,  the  family 
were  again  assembled  in  the  parlor.  Mr.  Mortimer  was  present  also, 
for  the  purpose  of  listening  to  the  discussion,  and  perhaps  with  a 
slight  ulterior  design  of  which  none  perfectly  know  but  himself, 
others  might  suspect ;  but  one  young  heart  felt  she  knew,  for  "as 
in  water  face  answereth  to  face,  so  the  heart  of  man  to  man." 

Mr.  Mortimer  was  a  Union  candidate,  though  he  had  not  avowed 
the  fact 'publicly ;  but  Nellie's  shrewdness  was  not  slow  in  detecting 
his  inteutione,  and  she  was  decidedly  at  heart  in  fuvor  of  his  succesB. 


112  -VELLIE  NORTON. 

"This  evening,"  said  Mr.  TbonipsoD,  "wo  arc  to  enter  into  the 
discussion  of  shivery  as  t«ught  in  the  New  Tcj>!uinent.  Wheresholl 
we  be«;iD  ?" 

"1  have  some  idea,"  said  Dr.  I'ratt.  "of  {.leadinir  an  estoppel,  ns* 
the  lawyura  would  say." 

"  How  ?"  said  Nellie.  "  1  hopoyou  are  not  oppo.>>ed  to  proceeding 
with  the  discUfhioD.  You  said  lust  cvetiiii":  you  were  anxious  to 
proceed.  1  hope  do  change  has  come  over  the  t-pirit  ui' your  dream, 
unless  it  be  that  you  unuounce  yourhclf  with  us.  convinced  that  you 
have  been  on  the  wrung  i>ide  all  the  linic.  If  this  i.s  what  you  moan 
we  will  give  you  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  and  iben  proceed  with 
the  investigation.  For  that  we  must  have,  lor  my  benefit,  if  for 
nothing  else." 

"  Well,  you  need  pot  be  in  a  hurry  to  offer  your  hand  just  yet.  1 
might  not  be  willing  to  take  it.  I  meant  I  would  give  your  uncle  a 
po»tr  at  the  start,  from  which  he  will  not  recover  in  time  to  proceed 
with  the  argument  during  life.  1  propose  to  give  him  a  Bible  argu- 
ment against  slavery,  which  he  will  never  be  able  to  answer  " 

"  Do,  Mr  Pratt,  it"  you  can,"  said  Nellie,  *'  for  I  think  so  far  you 
have  utterly  failed  j  but  then  you  have  come  to  the  di.^pcnsation  of 
liyhtf  and  we  may  be  more  able  to  see  the  darkness  by  contrast." 

"  I  am  anxious  to  hear  your/joser  from  the  Scriptures,"  said  Mr. 
Mortimer.  "  If  there  be  one  verse  or  sentiment  in  the  Divine 
Word  against  .slavery,  it  is  time  we  slavcholdens  knew  it,  for  we 
have  been  accustomed  to  believe  it  was  taught,  not  denounced,  by 
heaven." 

'*  So  I  have  ascertained,"  t>aid  the  Doctor,  *'  but  interest,  you 
know,  greatly  blinds  the  mental  a.s  will  as  the  moral  vision  some- 
times, and  this  may  be  the  reason  you  have  never  seen  it.  All  the 
rCHt  of  the  world  have  long  since  discovered  it  in  the  Bible.  '  A 
reward  perverteth  the  judgment,"  says  Solomon.  Perhaps  you 
would  hco  c-lcaier  if  }ou  had  no  slaves.  But  to  my  argument.  It 
is  found  in  Matt.  7:  11^,  among  the  holy  sentiments  contained  in 
the  Sermon  on  the  Mount.  It  is,  therefore,  from  Christ  himself, 
and  demands  the  most  devout  and  immediate  obedience.  Here  it  is: 
'  Therefore  all  things  whaffoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  to 
you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them;  for  this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets.' 
You,  gentlemen,  are  masters — you  would  not  desire  to  be  held  in 
bondage  by  your  slaves  ;  therefore,  if  you  hold  your  slaves  in  bond- 
age, you  violate  this  precept  You  are  bound  by  this  law  to  do  unto 
Others  as  you  would  have  them  do  unto  you.     If  this  do&s  not  extir- 


NELLIE   NORTON.  113 

pate  slavery's  terrible  hold  upon  your  hearts  aud  consciences,  I  shall 
think  that  the  things  which  make  for  your  peace  and  welfare  are 
hidden  from  you.  There  is  no  excuse  for  a  misinterpretation  of  this 
precept,  every  one  knows  what  he  wishes  others  to  do  lor  him,  and 
this  must  be  the  rule  of  his  conduct  to  them,  at-»ll  times  and  under 
all  circumstances." 

"  We  are  all  very  familiar  with  your  test,"  said  Mr.  Thompson. 
*'  It  is  one  by  wiiich  we  endeavor  to  be  governed,  even  as  masters. 
We  call  it  'the  golden  rule,'  on  account  of  its  unselfishness  and 
freedom  from  the  counterfeit  morality  of  the  mercenary  age  in  which 
we  live.  But,  Doctor,  is  your  construction  of  this  passage  of  Scrip* 
turc  the  correct  one  ?  If  so,  and  I  owe  you  a  thousand  dollars,  and 
you,  in  thinking  over  the  sacrifices  it  will  cost  me  to  pay  it,  conclude 
that,  were  our  positions  reversed,  you  would  prefer  me  to  release  you 
from  the  payment,  then  you  are  bound  to  give  me  the  debt.  Let  us 
see  further  what  will  be  the  results  of  your  interpretation.  In  his 
moral  scieqce,  Dr.  Dagg  says:  'The  Sheriff,  who  is  about  to  hang 
a  murderer,  may  argue,  were  I  in  the  murderer's  place,  I  would  not 
desire  to  be  hung;  therefore  I  must  not  hang  him.  The  jailor  who 
is  about  to  turn  the  key  of  the  prison  door  may  argue,  were  I  in  the 
place  of  the  prisoner,  I  would  desire  the  prison  door  to  be  left  open.' 
Therefore  the  murderer  and  the  felon  must  be  turned  loose  upon  an 
innocent  community,  after  they  are  justly  condemned  by  the  court, 
and  that,  too,  in  obedience  to  the  best  and  most  unselfish  rule  ever 
given  by  heaven  to  erring  man.  The  result  would  be,  that  obedience 
to  the  Divine  law,  given  to  restrain  evil  and  foster  good,  would  bind 
the  hands  of  retributive  justice,  and  turn  loose  upon  the  world  those 
wicked  spirits  against  which  there  would  be  no  protection.  That 
cannot  be  a  correct  application  of  the  Scripture  precept,  which  would 
rnakc  these  officers  neglect  duties  so  important  to  society.  And 
equally  wn»ng  is  its  application  to  slavery.  The  murderer,  the 
imprisonc'l  felon,  and  the  discontented  slave,  may  all  desire  that 
liberty  shnuld  be  proclaimed  throughout  the  land  ;  but  the  Scripture 
precept  docs  not  require  that  therefore  they  should  be  turned  loose 
on  society.  Jt  require*  Owl  wc  (h'vrnt  ourselves  of  sel/iahness  in 
deculmg  how  we  nhould  net  toirardu  others.  It  limits  our  wishes  on 
the  one  hand,  nvd  our  actions  on  the  other,  to  what   is  right  and 

reasonable.^  ACCORPINO  TO  SUBSISTING  CIRCUMSTANCES.      In  vicW  of 

the  mischiefs  which  woukl  result,  I  ought  not  to  desire  that  the  mur- 
derer, the  felon  and  the   slave  should   be  turned  loose  on  society, 
even  it  1  myself  were  the  person,  and  therefore  it  is  not  my  duty  to 
O 


114  NEl-IJE    NORTON. 

turn  8uch  persons  Ioofc,  if  society  has  cntrus^tod  thrni  to  my  charge." 
Now  take  one  more  case,  akin  to  those  1  have  quoted  from  Dr. 
Dagg.  Suppose  the  keeper  of  a  penitentiary  were  to  look  in  ou  the 
defrradod  and  suffcrinj;  inmates  till  the  deepest  and  tendcrest  sym- 
pathy of  his  nature  wa.s  moved  in  their  behalf.  He  says  to  himself, 
"  I  would  greatly  dislike  to  he  in  their  places ;  this  must  be  a  very 
miserable  life.  If  T  were  they  I  should  desire  that  the  keeper 
would,  cither  by  accident  or  jiurpnscly,  leave  the  gate  open  that  I 
might  make  my  escape.  In  that  eveut,  Doctor,  you  hold  that,  accord- 
ing to  this  Scripture  precept,  the  keeper  is  bound  to  do  as  he  would 
be  done  by,  and  therefore  turn  them  all  out.  From  selfish  motives 
he  would  desire  the  keeper  to  betray  his  trust,  to  violato  the  law, 
and  turn  loose  upon  8(»cicty  a  band  of  murderers,  robbers  and  felons, 
and  because  he  would  desire  another  to  do  wrong  he  must  do  wrong 
himself,  if  this  construction  were  correct,  no  humane  sheriflf  would 
ever  arrest  a  lawless  offender,  no  jury  would  ever  convict  a  guilty 
criminal,  no  judge  could  ever  pass  sentence  of  execution«against  the 
convicted  murderer;  therefore  all  penal  law  'A'ould  be  suspended, 
and  the  wicked  would  run  riot,  while  the  innocent  would  have  no 
protection  i^ainst  thom.  Can  that  be  a  legitimate  construction  of 
the  word  of  God,  which  would  lead  to  so  many  wicked  conseqnences? 
Surely  you  will  not  persist  in  maintaining  your  position.  Hut  if 
Jesus  intended  this  Scripture  to  apply  to  slavery,  it  is  very  singular 
indeed  he  did  not  allude  to  it  in  the  many  instances  in  which  he 
came  in  contact  with  the  institution.  JJut  instead  of  that,  he 
enjoined  upon  the  slave  obedience  to  the  master,  and  on  the  master 
justice  a<id  kindness,  (not  eman-ipation,)  towards  the  slave.  Its 
application  to  slavery  may  be  correct  this  far.  1  am  bound  to  tfeat 
my  slave  as  stick  with  that  justice  and  humanity  which  Christianity 
enjoins.  IJut  that  it  demands  of  the  master  to  liberate  his  slaves 
was  never  once  contemplated  by  Chiist  or  His  Apostles,  or  they 
would  certainly  have  said  so." 

"  Uncle,"  said  Nellie,  "  I  wish  you  would  repeat  again  the  meaning 
of  the  'golden  rule,'  as  given  by  Dr.  Dagg;  it  strikes  mo  as  being 
very  excellent  and  undeniably  correct,  I  desire  to  remember  it  for 
all  time." 

"  I  will  do  so  with  pleasure,  for  I  think  it  the  clearest  and  most 
correct  interpretation  I  have  ever  f een.  '  It  limits  our  wishes  ou  the 
one  hand,  and  our  actions  on  the  other,  to  what  is  right  and  reason- 
able according  to  subsisting  relations.'  Dr.  Pratt  would  place  no 
limit  to  the  desire ;  ho  would  make  nothing  to  depend  on  '  subsisting 


NELLIE   NORTON.  115 

relations.'  Indeed,  he  would  revolutionize  society,  revoke  the 
Divine  laws  for  public  safety  and  protection ;  he  would  break  down 
all  barriers  between  good  and  evil,  right  and  wrong,  virtue  and 
vice,  and  give  the  freest  scope  to  the  wildest  licentiousness  j  indeed, 
he  would  break  every  yoke,  political,  social,  marital,  parental ;  in  a 
word,  totally  disorganize  society,  enthrone  suciaUsm,  the  modern  pet 
idea  of  Northern  vice  and  libertinism.  I  do  not  mean  that  you 
would  desire  to  do  all  this,  Doctor ;  but  such  would  be  the  legitimate 
con.sequeuces  of  your  interpretation  of  the  golden  rule,  when  appHed 
to  all  these  relations.  Such  a  state  of  things  would  subvert,  instead 
of  foster,  the  Divine  purpose." 

"  Then  it  follows,"  said  Nellie,  "that  if  slavery  is  taught  in  the 
Bible  this  rule  does  not  interfere  with  it.  Slaves  being  lawfully  in 
bondage,  the  law  does  not  require  a  reversal  of  its  own  decree. 
They  being  scripturally  bound,  cannot  be  scripturally  set  free,  for 
this  would  make  the  Bible  contradict  itself,  which  cannot  be  true  of 
its  infinitely  wise  and  perfect  Author." 

"  And  I  suppose."  said  Mr.  Mortimer,  "  the  scriptural  proofs  on 
this  subject  will  accumulate  as  the  discussion  advances,  so  that  the 
Doctor  will  have  a  clearer  view  of  *  subsisting  relations.'" 

"But,"  said  the  Doctor,  "you  have  not  removed  the  injunction 
from  the  rule,  *  Do  unto  others  as  you  would  have  them  do  unto 
you.'  There  it  stands  out  in  frowning  aspect  upon  you  selfish 
slaveholders.  There  it  is,  look  at  it,  listen  to  its  rebuking  voice,  as 
you  drive  your  slaves  against  their  wills  to  the  field  of  toil." 

"  Listen  to  it !  "  said  Mr.  Thompson,  "  as  you  drive  your  reluctant 
child  to  the  school  room.  Listen  to  it  as. the  judge  pronounces 
sentence  of  condemnation  against  a  guilty  criminal,  who  reluctantly 
yields  to  the  judicial  behest.  Listen  to  it  as  the  jailor  drives  the 
prisoner  into  the  dungeon  against  his  will  and  bolts  the  heavy  doors. 
Listen  to  it  as  the  member  of  society  reluctantly  bears  the  burdens 
which  his  relations  thereto  necessarily  impose  upon  hira.  Aye,  listen 
to  it  as  j/on  urge  a  man  whose  heart  is  evil,  and  only  evil,  and  that 
continually,  to  cease  to  do  evil  and  learn  to  do  well.  You  urge  him 
against  his  will,  and  would,  for  his  good  and  that  of  society,  force 
him  if  you  could.  Every  member  of  society  must  yield  certain 
privileges  and  preferences  for  the  general  good,  and,  if  he  refuses  to 
do  so,  society  must  have  coercive  power  to  enforce  it.  This  is  the 
conservative  element  of  social  well  being.  Under  this,  the  slave 
must  labor.  His  own  welfare  and  happiness,  as  well  as  that  of 
society,  demand  it." 


IIG  NELL  IK    NORTON. 

**'  You  do  not  illustrate,"  said  the  Doctor,  ''the  cases  you  mention  arc 
not  analogous.  The  ca.ses  to  which  you  allude  are  inevitably  riixht; 
therefore  their  enforcement  is  according  to  the  spirit  of  religion." 

"  And  Fo  is  slavery  right,  and  its  enforcement  is  according  to  the 
Scripture.  Now,  if  .slavery  is  taught  in  the  Scriptures,  you  must 
admit  that  this  rule  is  not  designed  to  interfere  with  it  any  further 
than  this  :  the  master  shall  treat  his  slave  (i$  xnrh,  with  the  same 
justice  and  Icjiiency  that  he  might  lawluUy  desire  extended  to  him 
if  he  himself  were  a  slave.  It  no  more  contemplates  breaking  up 
one  lawful  relation  than  it  does  another.  Slavery  is  as  safe  in  its 
hands  a.s  marriage.  It  no  more  recjuires  me  to  euiancipute  my  slave 
than  to  separate  from  my  wife.  It  does  not  revoke  '  subsisting  rela- 
tions;' it  only  regulates  our  deportment  under  the»».  Governments, 
marriage,  parental  and  filial  obligations,  master  and  slave,  are  all 
*  ."subsisting  relations,'  instituted  and  regulated  by  tlie  .<ame  Divine 
authority;  and  the  'golden  rule'  no  more  sunders  the  obligations  of 
one  than  it  does  of  another  of  these  relations.  So  that,  instead  of 
breaking  the  chains  of  slavery,  it  is  designed  to  remove  it.s  rigoi-s, 
correct  its  evils,  and  place  it  upon  a  christian  basis,  I  am  to  be  a 
kind,  good,  just  and  benevolent  master,  but  a  roaster  still.  I  am 
not  to  impose  burdens  unnecessarily  heavy.  I  am  not  to  be  a  tyrant, 
an  oppressor.  And  these  duties  it  enforces  in  evury  relation  of  life. 
The  ruler,  the  husband  and  wife,  the  parent,  the  child,  the  master, 
the  servant,  all,  all  alike  are  affected  by  this  deliglitful  precept." 

*'  1  aui  delighted,  I'nule,  with  your  views,"  .^^uid  Nellie.  "  Now 
you  are  coming  to  a  recognition  of  a  truth  i'or  which  1  have  been 
long  and  anxiously  listening — that  slaveholders  take  the  Rible  as 
their  rule  in  the  treatment  of  their  slaves,  a.s  well  as  authority  for 
holding  them.     This  is  right.   IJut  do  all  slaveholders  the  same?" 

"No  more  so,  my  child,  than  all  parents  are  governed  by  the 
Divine  rule  in  the  treatment  of  their  children,"  said  Mr.  T.  "It 
is  really  sad  to  think  how  little  we  regard  the  authority  of  Gotl  in 
our  actions.  There  are  but  few  in  any  relation  of  life  who  discharge 
the  duties  connected  with  tho.se  relations  with  a  conscientious  regard 
to  the  Divine  rule  laid  down  for  their  government." 

"You  have  admitted  a  fact,"  said  the  Doctor,  "which  1  always 
believed  to  exist.  That  is,  that  Southern  masters  are  not  influenced 
in  the  treatment  of  their  slaves  by  tho.se  high  principles  of  moral 
obligation  inculcated  by  the  Divine  Being.  I  anj  glad  you  were 
candid  enough  to  make  the  confession." 

"  I  profess  to  be  sufficiently  honest  and  candid  to  admit  truth,  at 


NELLIE   NORTON.  117 

whatever  cost  it  may  be,"  .said  Mr.  Thompson.  "But  you  misunder- 
stood me.  I  have  made  no  admission  as  to  slavery  that  does  not  also 
hold  good  as  to  families.  I  do  not  believe  masters  are  more  remiss 
in  this  respect  than  parents,  husbands  or  wives.  Asa  general  thing, 
masters  are  but  seldom  guilty  of  injustice  or  rigor  to  their  slaves. 
So  far  as  my  acquaintance  extends,  I  Icnoivoi'  no  exception  to  humane 
and  just  treatment.  That  such  exceptions  do  exist,  is  not  to  bo 
denied.  There  are  brutes  in  the  shape  of  men  in  every  relation  of 
life,  whether  as  ruler,  husband,  wife,  parent,  child,  master,  slave; 
they  are  abandoned,  low  bred,  cruel,  coarse,  brutal.  But  these  are 
the  exceptions  to  our  race  wherever  found.  One  bad  master  no  more 
proves  that  masters  generally  are  bad  than  one  cruel  husband  argues 
the  cruelty  of  all  husbands." 

"  Mr.  Mortimer,  you  are  intimately  acquainted  with  the  general 
treatment  of  slaves  in  our  portion  of  the  State.  What  do  you  say 
of  it?" 

"  1  know  of  no  case  where  the  master  lives  on  his  plantation  with 
his  slaves  but  what  they  are  treated  with  justice  and  kindness.  There 
are  some  cases  where  the  master  lives  at  a  distance,  in  which  the 
slaves  are  not  treated  with  that  tenderness  which  their  state  of 
dependence  requires,  and  which  the  Bible  commands.  There  has, 
however,  for  the  past  few  years,  been  a  great  improvement  in  this 
respect.  If  the  abolitionists  would  stop  their  presses,  and  close  their 
mouths,  it  would  enable  us  to  do  much  more  for  the  slave  population 
than  is  generally  being  done.  Their  unwise,  unsoriptural  and  fona- 
tical  efforts  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of  our  slaves  have  proved  a 
serious  injury  to  them.  It  is  such  an  interference  as  it  would  be  lor 
a  man  to  come  to  my  house  and  propose  to  regulate  the  discipline  of 
my  family,  or  for  England  to  propose  to  this  government  to  regulate 
its  machinery  and  remove  evils  which  our  national  men  had  not  seen, 
and  which  they  knew  did  not  exist.  The  result  of  this  abolition 
interference  has  been  to  tighten  the  chains,  and  shut  out  much 
light  from  the  slave,  and  to  awaken  a  general  spirit  of  indignation 
and  resentment  among  Southerners.  A  spirit  of  crimination  and  of 
dictation  on  the  part  of  the  North  have  effectually  closed  the  doors 
at  the  South  against  them.  We  feel  capable  of  attending  to  our 
own  business  and  of  deciding  what  is  right,  and  will  therefore  regu- 
late our  own  institutione,  in  the  fear  of  God,  not  of  man,  as  we  riiay 
think  right." 

"I  would  like  to  know,"  said  the  Doctor,  "why  you  Southerners' 
make  such  a  great  parade  over  the  word   arrvuni  in  the  Bible  as 


118  NKLLIK    NORTt>N. 

thoufrh  it  necessarily  meant  slave.  You  have  certainly  forgotten 
that  there  are  hired  servants,  and  that  the  word  applies  to  more  rela- 
tions in  life  than  one.  The  king  calls  bis  subjects  servants,  the  Savior 
called  Ilis  disciples  servant*;,  the  (iod  of  the  Old  Testament  called 
Hitj  people  servants,  and  the  Apostles  themselves  said,  '  We  are  the 
servants  of  Christ.'  Now  you  would  not  so  far  risk  your  reputation 
as  a  scholar,  Mr.  Thonip.son,  as  to  .say  that  ser\'ant  means  shnc  in  all 
these  relations,  or  indeed  in  any  of  them.  And  if  yuu  cannot  main- 
tain this  fact,  then  of  what  use  is  it  to  attempt  any  proof  ol  slavery 
from  (luotations  where  the  meaning  is  ambiguous  ?" 

*'  For  instance,"  said  Nellie,  "  1  was  reading  this  morning  in  the 
8th  chapter  of  Matthew,  where  a  centurion  came  to  the  Savior, 
saying :  '  Lord,  my  servant  licth  at  home  sick  of  the  palsy  griev- 
ously tormented,'  and  the  Savior  said  '  I  will  come  and  heal  him.' 
Now,  was  this  a  .slave  or  a  hired  servant?  How  am  I  to  know  which 
he  was?" 

"  Are  you  acquainted  with  the  Greek  language,  Nellie?  If  you 
are  nut,  your  honored  j^astor  is.  So,  Doctor,  we  will  let  the  original 
decide  this  question  for  us,  for  in  the  Greek  we  can  iiseertain  whether 
he  were  a  slave  or  a  hired  servant.  As  it  will  take  us  some  time  to  go 
through  with  the  philological  examination  of  slavery,  perhaps  we 
bad  better  defer  it  till  to  niorruw  evening,  and  give  that  occasion 
entirely  to  the  subject." 

"  There  is  one  fact,  to  my  mind  of  great  importance,  to  which  I 
would  this  evening  call  attention.  It  is  this:  Jn  the  cutufut/ue  uf 
»\ns  dttiuunrcil  hy  the  t^iuvior  and  JJis  Apostles,  slavery  is  not  once 
vientioueJ.  This  fact  is  worthy  of  record;  this  of  itself  forms 
conclusive  evidence  of  the  fact  that  slavery  was  not  looked  upon  by 
them  as  an  offense  against  righteousness.  Paul,  in  his  first  chapter 
to  the  Romans,  records,  under  the  iii.'jpiration  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
the  siiis  of  the  people — it  is  a  fearlully  long  and  dark  array  of 
wrongs.  He  says  :  *  Being  filled  with  all  unrighteousness,  fornica- 
tion, wickedness,  covetousness,  maliciousness,  full  of  envy,  murder, 
■debate,  deceit,  malignity,  whisperers;  backbiters,  haters  of  (Jod, 
despiteful,  jin-ttd,  boasters,  inventers  of  evil  things,  di.sobedient  to 
parents,  without  understanding,  covenant  breakers,  without  natural 
affection,  implacable,  unmerciful.'  Again,  in  Gal.  5:  19-21,  ho 
says :  '  Now  the  works  of  the  flesh  are  manifest,  which  are  these — 
adultery,  fornication,  uncloanness,  lasciviousness,  idolatry,  witch- 
craft, hatred,  variance,  emulation,  wrath,  strife,  sedition,  heresies, 
<p.nvying8,  murders,  drunkenness,  revellings,  and  such  like.'  I  might  go 


NELLIE   NOKTON.  11^ 

on  to  fill  whole  pages  with  the  dark  and  grievous,  or  lesser  sins  of  the 
people  and  vet  you  would  not  find  slavery  once  mentioned  among 
them.  If  it  were  a  sin,  is  it  not  remarkable  that  Christ  and  his 
Apostles  left  the  people  ignorant  of  the  fact  ?  " 

*'  Not  at  all,"  said  Dr.  P.  "  There  were  two  reasons  for  not  con- 
demning the  institution  :  1.  It  was  not  the  purpose  of  the  gospel 
to  interfere  with  the  social  relations  of  life.  2.  It  would  have 
retarded  the  gospel  to  come  out  in  opposition  to  an  institution  so 
deeply  rooted  in  the  public  mind,  and,  with  all,  so  very  popular.  So 
fiom  motives  of  policy  they  forbore." 

"  These  are  the  reasons  given  at  the  North,  uncle,"  said  Nellie, 
"  but  they  do  not  seem  to  me  now  to  accord  with  either  the  spirit  of 
the  gospel  or  the  practice  of  Christ  and  the  Apostles.  But  then  I 
am  no  judge." 

"  You  judge  very  correctly  on  this  subject,"  said  her  Uncle. 
"  You  think  the  gospel  was  not  designed  to  interfere  with  social  life, 
Doctor.  Slavery  is  a  relation  of  social  life ;  therefore  it  would  have 
nothing  to  do  with  it.  But  does  not  the  gospel  interfere  with  social 
relations  '/  Did  not  Jesus  rebuke  polygamy  and  divorce  ?  These 
were  social  relations,  but  they  were  sinful.  Did  not  John  rebuke 
Herod  for  marrying  his  brother's  wife,  and  lose  his  head  for  it? 
This  was  a  social  relation,  but  this  was  a  sin.  Indeed,- the  Divine 
precepts  descended  to  every  relation  of  life,  and  gave  rules  for  their 
regulation,  and  pointed  out  the  several  obligations  growing  out  of 
them,  lie  tells  the  husband  how  to  love  his  wife,  the  wife  what  arc 
her  duties  to  the  husband,  the  parents  how  to  train  their  children,  and 
the  children  how  to  obey  and  honor  their  parents;  the  servant  how 
to  obey  and  please  his  master,  and  the  master  how  to  treat  his  ser- 
vaat.  And  yet  you,  Doctor,  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  a  student  of 
the  teachings  of  heaven,  say  the  gospel  was  not  designed  to  interfere 
with  the  social  relations  of  life  !  I  do  not  wonder,  sir,  at  your  being 
an  abolitionist." 

"  Your  second  reason  why  slavery  was  not  condemned  by  Christ 
and  his  Apostles  is  the  popular  hobby  at  the  North ;  but  is,  to  speak 
in  the  mildest  terms,  a  slander  against  the  Lord  and  His  Apostles. 
Policy.  This  word,  which  jou  apply  to  the  Savior  and  His  servants, 
has  been  pertinently  defined  thus:  'To  serve  God  so  as  not  to 
offend  Satan.'  This  seems  to  be  precisely  your  definition.  Slavery 
was  a  sin.  Satan  was  its  great  author,  and  man  his  servants  to 
execute  his  wicked  purposes ;  but  it  would  not  do  for  the  gospel 
promoters  to  rebuke  this  darling  pet  sin  of  the  great  adversary,  lest 


120  NKLLIK  NORTON. 

his  sataoic  niitjesty  should  be  urouMMl  into  furious  opposition  to 
rightcousDC{«,  and,  being  stronger  than  the  man  of  sorrowp,  he  might 
hinder  the  progress  of  his  kingdom.  Truth  must  fraternize  with  error, 
and  if  it  couie  acro«.s  a  very  ptipular  sin,  which  had  talccn  strong  hold 
of  the  hearts  of  the  people,  it  must  shut  its  eyes  and  close  its  lips,  and 
not  nrouse  the  lion,  lest  destruction  follow.  The  gojjpcl  must  begin 
with  little  tins,  such  as  polygamy,  divorce,  adultery,  idolatry.  It 
must  rebuke  at  first  only  those  sins  which  the  people  were  not 
fitrongly  attached  to,  such  as  covetousncss,  pharisaism,  Judaism. 
Trepo-sterous  I" 

**  It  was  right,  you  think,  fur  them  to  denounce  slavery,  for  you 
do  so;  but  then  they  feared  to  arouse  the  paj^sions  of  the  people; 
they  must  not  give  offense;  it  would  injure  the  cause  of  righteous- 
ness. As  Paul  say.s,  you  falsely  accuse  them  of  duiuL'  evil  that  good 
might  come.  They  could  not,  they  dare  not,  offer  the  sacriflccs  of 
righteousness  and  put  their  trust  in  the  Lord  !  They  could  condemn 
other  siiiS;  but  not  this  one.  Jesus  could  take  a  whip  and  beat  the 
thieves  and  salesmen  out  of  the  temple;  but  it  would  be  unpopular 
to  condemn  slavery.  He  could  tell  the  whole  raco  of  pharisccs 
'  Ye  are  the  children  of  the  devil,'  but  must  not  say  slavery  is  wrong. 
He  told  them  they  were  hypocrites  and  robbers  of  widows  and 
orphans,  bpt  was  afraid  to  condemn  slavery.  The  Apostle  would 
preach  the  truth,  though  it  incensed  a  whole  multitude  and  brought 
down  the  direst  persecution  on  hij  own  head;  but  you  tliiiik  be  was 
afraid  to  give  the  slightest  intimation  that  slavery  was  wrong.  Hut 
i/i>n  are  not  afraid  to  say  so;  therefore  you  have  more  courage  than 
(/hri.-t  or  J  J  is  Apostles." 

'*  You  are  not  afraid  it  will  hinder  the  progress  of  the  gospel. 
Y')U  say  it  will  advance  it;  that  slavery  is  an  incubus  upon  the  civil- 
iaatiuu  of  the  age,  and  a  disgrace  to  Christianity.  O  how  much 
Christianity  and  civilization  have  lost  by  the  delay  of  the  advent  of 
abtilitionisni  to  so  late  a  period  !  Now,  if  you  and  Dr.  IJarnes  and 
Dr.  Way  land  had  only  been  in  the  place  of  I'cter,  James  and  John, 
to  have  given  the  f^!aviorand  the  Apostles  the  benefit  of  your  superior 
foresight,  your  dear  discriminating  powers,  and,  more  than  all,  of 
your  fearless,  undaunted  spirit,  what  an  impetus  you  might  have 
^iven  to  human  liberty  and  to  the  glorious  gospel.  How  shall  we 
ever  be  reconciled  to  this  great  loss?  '  But  what  can't  be  cured 
iBUst  be  endured.'     So  I  will  try  to  be  patient." 

"  Why,  Uncle,  you  surprise  me,"  said  Nellie. 

**  Excuse  me,  Nellie,  and  you,  too,  Doctor,  for  really  when  I  sec 


NELLIE   NORTON.  121 

men  of  sense,  men  professing  Christianity,  resort  to  such  subterfuges 
to  carry  a  point,  which  has  no  argument  or  truth,  it  destroys  my 
respect — not  for  you,  Doctor — you  are  my  guest  and  a  gentleraaa, 
but  you  are  in  bad  company,  and  'evil  communications  corrupt  good 
manners.'  But  to  advert  to  your  hypotheins.  'That  the  gospel 
was  not  designed  to  interfere  with  the  social  relations  of  life.'  Has 
it  changed  its  design  since  the  time  of  our  Lord?  You  abolitionists 
think  it  demands  of  you  to  change  those  relations  now.  Was  it  true 
then — has  it  changed  now  ?  Was  non-interference  right  then,  and 
is  it  wrong  now  'i  Was  silence  on  the  part  of  Christ  and  the  Apostles 
both  right  and  prudent  then,  and  is  just  the  opposite  course  right  for 
those  who  would  accomplish  the  same  end  now  ?  Where  do  you 
learn  this  new  les.son  ?  But  if  silence  and  non-interlerence  were 
right  then,  and  you  say  they  were,  then  they  are  right  still,  and  you 
are  estopped.  The  silenee  of  Jesus  rebukes  the  noisy  abolitionist. 
But  Christ  was  not  silent,  nor  were  his  missionaries,  l»nd  yet  they  do 
not  utter  one  syllable  of  condemnation,  or  even  of  censure  against 
the  institution.  Dr.  Wayland  himself  admits  'That  the  New  Testa- 
ment contains  no  jjrecciyt  prohibitory  of  slavery.'" 

"  He  makes  that  admission,"  said  the  Doctor  with  strong  emotion. 
"  But  what  else  lioes  he  say?  Do  not  garble  him.  I  will  quote 
him,  and  do  him  Justice.  '  You  may  give  your  child,'  he  says,  '  if 
he  were  approaching  discretion,  permission  to  do  any  act,  while  you 
inculcate  upon  him  principles  which  prohibit  it,  for  the  sake  of 
teaching  him  to  be  governed^by  principles  rather  than  by  any  direct 
enactment.  In  such  cases  you  would  expect  him  to  obey  the  prin- 
ciple, and  not  avail  himself  of  the  permission.'  Now,  sir,  you  have 
a  most  beautiful  and  furcible  illustration^  in  this  sentiment  of  Dr. 
Wayland's,  of  why  there  is  no  prevept  in  the  gospel  prohibitory  of 
.slavery." 

"  Forcible,  indeed,  it  is,"  said  Mr.  Thompson,  "  but  very  disored- 
itablc  to  the  Father  of  Mercies.  According  to  this  illustration.  He 
gives  his  children  permission  to  continue  in  what  you  consider  a  sin 
of  appalling  magnitude,  and  yet  does  not  give  them  the  slightest 
intimation  of  the  fact;  they  have  His  consent  to  'practice  this 
frightful  enormity,'  to  live  and  die  in  this  ■*  sum  of  all  villainies,' 
without  even  saying,  '  1  would  rather  you  would  leave  it  off.'  And 
why  does  He  not  ^ay  so — why  not  give  k  precept  ?  Simply  to  teach 
them  not  to  follow  his  ]}crmi.s8ion.  The  permission,  1  suppose  from 
the  illustration,  being  in  direct  antagonism  to  the  principles  which 
He  enunciates.  He  must  t«ach  tbera  disobedience  to  the  Divine 
P 


122  XELLIE   NORTON. 

perini.xflion,  in  order  to  learn  ihein  rectitude  of  irfe.  Huw  very 
coujplim<'ntary  joii  are  to  the  wisdom  and  consistency  of  God  and 
to  the  VTord  of  inspiration.  Abraham  wjis  commended  by  God 
because  he  mmmnnrfed  His  children  ;  hut  if  He  hnd  piven  them 
permi'^sion  to  do  the  ^ins  which  He  forbade,  he  would,  according  to 
Dr.  Wayland,  have  been,  for  all  that,  aa  pure  and  good  aa  the 
Father  of  Mercies.  And  those,  Dr.  P.,  uro  the  '  miserable  .sti*ait8 
and  impious  sophiiODfl  to  which  even  divines  nre  reduced,  when,  on 
the  supposition  that  slavery  is  a  pin,  they  undertake  to  vindicate  or 
defend  the  Word  which  they  profe.s.s  to  pn-JiLh  " 

•'  But  you  are  aware,  Mr.  Thomp.son,"  said  the  Doctor,  "that  it 
was  no  part  of  the  scheme  of  the  gospel  revelation  to  lay  down  any- 
thing approaching  to  a  complete  system  of  mural  precepts.  To 
enumerate  everything  tnjoined  and  forhidilni  by  our  religion,  the 
New  Testament  would  have  formed  a  library  in  itself,  more  volumin- 
ous than  the  lairs  of  the  realm  of  Great  Britain." 

•'  The  revelation  is  incomplete,  I  suppose,"  said  Mr.  Thompson. 
"  And  you  of  the  North  must  add  the  important  matters  which  were 
left  out  for  want  of  room.  The  greot  Reformer  thought  the  '  Word 
of  God  a  suflicient  rule  of  faith  and  practice.'  All  Protestants  since 
have  given  their  hearty  a.ssent  to  this  view,  and  4iave  adopted  this 
theory.  But  now  you  must  'add  to  this  incomplete  Bible  in  order 
to  root  out  one  of  its  greatest  sins,  which  the  Divine  spirit  could  not 
put  ip  for  want  of  ppace.'  Does  it  not  seem  there  mi-ht  have  been 
room  added  to  say  •  J^lavery  is  wronjj,  repent  of  and  lursake  it.'  It 
would  not  have  enlarged  the  inspired  volume  ntuoh  And  then  the 
precepts  regulating  it,  and  teaching  the  duties  of  masters  and  slaves, 
could  with  great  propriety  have  been  entirely  omitted.  Indeed,  if 
these  precepts  bad  been  left  out,  there  would  have  been  room  for  a 
whole  chapter,  giving  in  detail  the  evils  of  slavery.  How  much  it 
is  to  b«  regretted  that  Dr.  Wayland  or  yourselt  had  not  been  there 
to  make  the  suggestion  ;  for  1  know  either  of  you  would  do  so,  if 
you  had  the  making  of  a  Bible  now." 

"  Hut  who  is  to  liU  up  this  deliciency  in  the  moral  precepts  of  the 
gospel  scheme  ?  Northern  and  Southern  men,  Americans  or  Euro- 
peans'/ Jews  or  Gentiles,  Catholics  or  Protestants?  Or  shall  it  be 
left  to  be  inferred  by  each  fallible  creature  ?" 

"  is  it  not  a  sad  misfortune  that  so  many  lesser  sins  are  rebuked 
repeatedly,  and  i\i\i great  $iu  should  have  been  entirely  omitted?" 

"  But,"  said  the  Doctor,  "'  \\\\&i  good,  as  Dr.  Wayland  says, 
f^ould  a  simple  precept  or  prohibition  have  done  ?     They  are,  of  all 


NELLIE   NORTON.  12S 

things,  the  easiest  to  be  avoided.  Lord  Eldon  used  to  say  that  'no 
man  in  England  could  construct  an  act  of  Parliament  through  which 
i\e  could  not  drive  a  coach  and  four.'  We  find  this  to  have  been  the 
case  with  the  Jews  in  the  ^ime  of  our  Savior.  The  pharisees,  who 
prided  themselves  in  their  strict  obedience  to  the  letter,  violated  the 
sipirit  of  every  precept  of  the  Mosaic  code." 

"  Perhaps,"  said  Mr.  Thompson,  "  Lord  Eldon  was  a  shrewder 
Togue  than  most  English  thieves,  for  it  is  certain  that  under  acts  of 
Parliament  many  were  caught  who  attempted  to  drive  through  with 
mucTi  less  incumbrance  than  a  coach  and  four,  and  were  brought  to 
summary  punishment.  But,  Doctor,' is  not  a  principle  as  easily 
evaded  as  a  precept,  and  luce  versa  ?  What  is  the  diflference  ?  But 
how  are  principles  to  be  inculcated  except  preceptively  ?  Again  :  if 
the  Author  of  the  Bible  would  lay  down  principles  instead  of  pre- 
cepts for  the  discontinuance  of  slavery,  because  it  was  seen  by  hinj 
to  be  the  most  eflFective  method,  why  not  adopt  the  same  plan  with 
polygamy,  idolatry,  covetousness,  and  every  other  sin  7  Why  make 
this  the  single  exception?  Why  forbid  any  sin,  if  precepts  are  so 
easily  evaded  as  to  be  useless  ?  The  evangelical  prophet  thought 
that  the  Divine  plan  was,  '  precept  upon  precept,  precept  upon  pre- 
cept, here  a  little  and  there  a  little.'  " 

"  Do  you  raise  your  children  by  Dr.  Wayland's  rule  ?  Do  you 
teach  your  congregation  without  precepts  ?  If  so,  when  you  return 
home,  be  kind  enough  to  sugiiest  to  the  Abolition  fraternity  to  adopt 
the  same  method  towards  Southern  slave-holder*s,  and  thereby  prove 
your  consistency,  for  'faith  without  works  is  dead,  beiog  alone.' 
Try  your  theory  with  the  South.  Who  knows  but  it  will  work  well, 
and  bring  out  a  new  era  in  the  slavery  question.  U  it  were  not 
worth  while  for  the  Savior  to  give  a  precept  to  the  people,  because 
they  would  not  obey  it,  it  would  seem  to  be  presumptuous  in  man  to 
do  so.  But  it  was  his  custom,  as  you  know,  to  give  precepts,  whether 
the  people  '  wou'ld  hear  or  forbear.' 

"  Now,  Doctor,  does  it  not  seem  strange  that  you  and  Dr.  Waylaud 
should  say  there  was  room  in  the  gospel 'for  the  principle  but  not 
enough  for  the  precept  ?  It  really  does  seeiu  3-ou  are  hard  pushed 
for  a  way  of  escape.  You  cover  yourselves  with  inconsistencies. 
How  such  gauzy  sophistries  can  blind  the  minds  of  an  intelligent 
people,  I  cannot  see.  Yet  the  scripture  must  be  fulfilled.  'Eyes 
have  they,  but  they  see  not :  ears,  but  they  hear  not.'  Now,  Doctor, 
here  is  your  position  :  Slavery  is  a  sin  'always  and  everywhere,'  but 
then  it  was  not  worth  while  for  the  Lord  to  tell  the  people  so,  for 


124  NELLIE   NORTON'. 

thcj  would  neither  believe  nor  obey  Ilim.  But  then  he  would  lay 
down  a  principle^  embodying  the  precept,  .'tnd  though  ambiguous,  it 
?uuxt  be  obeyed.  Though  Ho  who  rai.'<cd  the  dead  and  ca.st  out 
devils  was  not  able  to  enforce  a  precept  against  slavery,  yet  Phillips, 
Beecher,  Wayland,  Channing,  Parker  and  others,  were  especially 
commissioned  to  do  so.  But  He  might  have  lightened  their  task 
by  giving  them  a  pr<*cept,  (had  He  not  been  deterred  by  the 
knowledge  of  the  fact, that  it  would  do  no  good,)  a  plain  enactment, 
pointed  and  forcible,  unambiguous  and  palj)ijble '' 

"  Oh,  uncle,"  said  Nellie,  "why  don't  you  argue  the  question  V 

•'  Because,  my  daughter,  the  proposition  is  too  preposterous,  too  pre- 
j*umptuous.  A  man  to  say  that  his  Maker  did  not  condemn  a  sin,  a 
vile  sin.  just  because  it  would  do  no  good;  because  He  could  not 
give  a  precept  which  would  not  be  evaded.  And  yet  man  is  better 
jnd  mightier  than  his  Maker,  and  therefore  undertakes  the  correc- 
tion and  reformation  of  this  sin.  Such  a  subterfuge  docs  not 
deserve  a  serious  consideration. 

God  forbade  other  sins,  which  arc  yet  perpetrated,  why  not  this  ? 
He  gave  precepts  by  the  thousand,  which  are  till  yet  disregarded, 
why  not  have  given  a  precept  against  slavery,  if  it  were  a  sin  ?  He 
forbade  adultery,  but  he  knew  the  sin  would  not  be  discontinued. 
He  forbade  covetousness,  but  He  knew  the  people  would  still  covet, 
and  so  1  might  g<i  on  with  u  whole  volurae,  if  I  would.  But  slavery 
He  did  not  denounce.  He  gave  no  precept  against  it,  because,  says 
Dr.  ,W.,  an  English  ^atute  can  be  driven  through  with  a  coach  and 
four,  and  because  the  Jew-  violated  the  spirit  of  the  Mosaic  code. 
Wonderful  logic.  8urely  l>r.  Wayland  must  be  inspired,  to  have  so 
clear  an  insight  into  the  JJivine  reasons  for  omitting  the  condemna- 
tion of  so  great  a  sin." 

"  Well,  gentlemen,"  said  Mr.  Mortimer,  "you  will  please  excuse 
me  for  the  evening ;  1  will  come  over  to-morrow  evening  and  hear 
you  through  with  the  philological  question.     Good  evening." 

One  of  the  chief  attractions  being  gone,  Nellie  soon  excused  hcr- 
Bclf,  and  retired.  «« 

Life's  future  was  bright  and  cloudless  to  iier.  No  storms  were  to 
beat  upon  her  path  ;  uo  sorrows,  she  imagined,  would  ever  befall  her. 
She  had  made  up  her  mind  to  live  at  the  South,  and  own  slaves,  if 
invited  to  do  so.  True,  the  matter  was  not  fully  arranged  between 
Mr.  M.  and  herself,  but  in  her  mind  the  question  was  settled,  and 
she  entertained  no  doubt  but  his  determination  was  fixed.  He  had 
said  some  things  which  she  felt  sure  were  intended  to  be  understood, 


IfELLIE   NORTON,  ^  125 

and  her  susceptible  heart  readily  acquiesced  in  his  intention.  But 
she  would  have  felt  freer,  if  he  had  mid  all  he  meant,  and  all  she 
knew  he  felt.  "  V\'^hy,"  thought  she,  "  is  a  true  gentleman  so  tinnd. 
so  backward;  he  seems  embarrassed,  if  even  the  thought  comes  into 
his  mind.  Ah  I  he  is  a  man  of  very  delicate  and  refined  sensibilities 
and  could  not  hear  a  disappointment,  and  I  am  sure  I  am  too  much 
of  a  lady  to  be  forward  in  hints  and  approaches.  lie  vrould,  as  he 
should,  be,  disgusted,  instead  of  encouraged.  'In  your  patience 
possess  ye  your  soul '  is  the  good  rule,  so  I  will  quietly  wait  5  '  it  will 
all  work  out  right.'  '  All's  for  the  best,'  said  a  good  old  Christian, 
and  I  believe  it."     Thus  she  gently  fell  asleep. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Definition  of  Greek  iconh  nettled — '' Lfovfns"  means  ^' slave," 
proven  by  the  best  authorities — ''  South-side  vieic^' — Illness  of  Mrs. 
Thompson — Dr.  Pratt's  troubles.    • 

Mrs.  Thompson,  being  quite  unwell,  did  not  make  her  appear- 
ance in  the  parlor.  j\Irs.  Norton  preferred  to  remain  with  her  sister, 
though  the  latter  persuaded  her  to  go  in  and  listen  at  the  discussion, 
as  her  maid  would  remain  in  the  room  and  afford  any  nece!ii.sary 
a.ssistance.  But  Mrs.  N.  said  she  did  not  understand  Greek,  and 
was  tired  of  the  discussion  any  way;  she  wished  they  would  drop  it, 
she  did  not  sec  what  good  it  was  doing,  and  they  might  enjoy  them- 
selves much  better  socially,  and  then  she  was  afraid  her  hot-headed 
brother  might  hurt  the  feelings  of  her  good  pastor. 

But  the  reader  is  an.'<;ious  to  hear  the  discussion,  so  we  will  leave 
the  two  ladies  to  their  own  enjoyments,  or  sufferings,  and  enter  the 
parlor. 

"  I  will  now  proceed  to  answer  your  question,  Nellie,"  said  her 
uncle. 

•'  Before  you  proceed,"  said  the  Doctor,  '*  I  wish  to  say,  this  is  a 
question  you  cannot  settle,  even  in  the  original,  with  any  degree  of 
certainty.  The  Greek  word  upon  which  you  will  rely  to  establish 
slavery  is  Doulos.     Dr.  Barnes  says  of  this  .word  :    '  It  is  so  exten- 


126  NELLIE   NORTON. 

eive  in  its  signification  as  to  be  applicable  to  any  species  of  servitude^ 
whether  voluntary  or  involuntary.  The  word  denotes  servant  of  any 
kind,  and  it  should  never  be  assumed  that  those  to  whom  it  is  applied 
are  [*laves.*  So  you  see,  it  denotes  a  servant  of  any  kind,  whether 
voluntary  or  involuntary.     Now,  sir,  you  can  proceed." 

"  Do  you,  Dr.  Pratt,  as  a  gv/wlar,  not  as  a  Northern  man,  but 
simply  as  a  srhol-ir,  endorse  this  view  of  Dr.  B:irnes  ?  " 

<•  Certainly  I  do,  sir,"  said  the  Doctor. 

'*  Very  well,  then,"  said  Mr.  Thompson,  "I  will  prove  that  both 
you  and  Dr.  Barnes  are  very  deficient  scholars,  or  very  much  blinded 
by  prejudice,  just  as  you  may  choose  to  be  considered. 

"  Mr.  Mortimer  will  you  please  take  the  Greek  Testament  there 
on  the  table  by  you,  and  turn  to  Luke  vii  :  2.  I  refer  to  Luke 
instead  of  Matthew,  because,  in  the  latter,  pais  is  used,  which 
signifies  a  child.      In  Luke,  the  description  is  fuller." 

Mr.  Mortimer  announced  that  Doulos  was  the  word  used  in  Luke. 

"Now,  then,"  said  Mr.  T.,  *<  we  will  see  if  the  definition  is  as 
ambiguous,  as  vague  as  the  Doctors  say.  Robinson's  Greek  and 
English  Lexicon  of  the  New  Testament  says  :  'Doulos,  a  bondman, 
slave,  servant  by  birth.*  In  the  family,  the  doulos  was  one  hound  to 
serve — a  slave — and  was  the  property  of  his  master;  a  living posses' 
$ion,  as  Aristotle  calls  him.  The  doulos,  therefore,  was  7iever  a  hired 
servant,  the  latter  being  called  inisthios,  Mislholos. 

"  Here,  Doctor,  you  have  the  definition  in  full,  also  the  fact  thnt 
another  word,  vit :  misthios,  niisthotos,  express  the  idea  of  a  hired 
servant.  Doulos  always  means  a  bondman.  Now,  Mr.  Mortimer, 
turn  \<>  Luke  xv  :  10,  where  the  prodigal  said,  '  make  me  as  one 
of  thy  hired  servants,'  and  see  if  doulos  is  used," 

He  turned  to  the  chapter  and  veree,  and  announced  that  the  word 
used  was  misthion. 

"Mr.  Uubinson  says  that  misthios  means  'hired,  salaried,  one 
hired,  a  hired  servant.  It  is  from  misthox,  hire,  wages,  recompense.' 
Now  let  us  examine  further  into  the  meaning  of  doidosi 

Liddell  and  Scott  say,  'Doulos,  a  slave,  a  bondman,  strictly  J  one 
born  so.     Doulos,  like  the  latin  serinis,  slavish,  enslaved,  subject.' 

"  Grove,  in  his  Lexicon,  says  :  '  Doulos,  a  slave,'  &c. 

"  Alford,  in  his  (ireek  Testament,  says  :  '  Doulos  means  a  slave,' 

"  Hodge,  on  Ephcsians,  says:  '  Doidos,  from  deo,  to  bind,  means  a 
bondman  or  slave,  as  distinguished  from  a  hired  servant,  who  was 
called  misthios,  and  mislhotos.'  Dr.  Hodge  adds  :  *  It  is  evident, 
both  from  the  meaning  of  the  terms  here  used,  and  from  the  known 


NELLIE  NORTON.  127 

historical  fact,  that  slavery  prevailed  throughout  the  Roman  Empir»i 
during  the  apostolic  age,  that  this  (viz  :  Ephesians  vi :  5-9,)  and 
other  passages  in  the  New  Testament  refer  to  that  institution.' 

*  "  Bloomfield  says  •  '  The  word  doulos,  contracted  for  deolos,  was 
properly  an  adjective,  signifying  bound ;  but  used  substantively, 
denotes  a  bund  servant,  usually  for  life.' 

"  Trench's  definition  of  donlos  is  this:  '  One  in  a  permanent  rela- 
tion of  servitude  to  another.'  " 

"But,"  remarked  the  Doctor,  "you  will  remember,  there  are  other 
words  besides  donlos,  misthios,  and  ^nisthotos,  that  are  translated 
servant  and  servants,  in  our  version.  *  Moses  as  a  servant  was  faith- 
ful in  all  his  house,'  Heb.  iii :  5.  The  word  translated  servant  in 
this  place  is  Therapon.  In  John  ii  :  5,  *  his  mother  saith  unto  the 
servants'  The  word  tran^ated  servants  here  is  Diakonois.  Now, 
then,  how,  if  our  wise  translators  gave  them  all  the  same  rendering, 
are  we  to  ascertain  definitely  that  either  one  means  slave,  and  the  rest 
do  not 't  I  think  you  are  in  a  dilemma  from  which  your  scholarship 
will  not  deliver  you." 

•  "  I  suppose,"  said  Mr.  Thompson,  "you  will  admit  that  Richard 
Chenevix  Trench,  B.  D.,  Professor  of  Divinity,  King's  College, 
London,  author  of  the  'Study  of  Words,'  'The  Lessons  in  Proverbs,' 
&c.,  &c.,  is  good  authority  on  the  difference  in  the  meaning  of  these 
words?  If  you  will  not,  we  will  turn  you  over  to  Dr.  Barnes  as  ag 
incorrigible  neophyte. 

"  Therap>on.  Of  this  word,  Mr.  Trench  says  :  '  From  the  fact 
that  the  septuagint  translates  the  same  Hebrew  word  now  by  doulos, 
now  by  therapon,  it  will  not  follow  that  there  is  no  difference  between 
the  words  J  nor  yet  that  there  may  not  be  occasions  when  the  one 
would  be  far  more  appropriately  employed  than  the  other  -,  but  only 
that  there  are  other  occasions  which  do  not  require  the  bringing  out 
into  prominence,  of  that  which  constitutes  the  difference  between 
them.  And  snch  real  difference  there  is.  The  doulos  is  one  in  a 
permanent  state  of  servitude  to  another,  and  that  altogether  apart 
from  any  ministration  to  that  other  at  the  present  time  rendered  . 
but  the  therapon  is  the  performer  of  present  services,  without  respect 
to  the  fact  whether  as  a  freeman  or  a  slave  he  renders  them,  and 
thus  there  goes  constantly  with  the  word,  the  sense  of  one  whose 
services  are  tenderer,  nobler,  freer,  than  those  of  the  doulos.' 
Moses  therefore  was  a  therapon,  doing  honorable  service  for  his 
Divine  Master.  Liddell  and  Scott  say  :  <  It  implies  free  and  honor^ 
able  service.' 


12S  NELLIK   NORrON. 

"  Diahmox.  Says  Trench  :  *  The  differcace  bet^reen  h'nhnno*  on 
one  side  and  douhs  aud  tluraixm  on  Iho  other,  is  that  diakonos 
reprcheuts  the  servant  in  his  activity  fur  the  work,  not  in  his  relutiou 
either  of  servitude  as  that  of  the  doulos,  or  more  voluntary  as  in  tht?> 
case  of  thenqton  to  a  pt-moii.  The  attendants  at  a  feast,  and  those 
with  no  respect  to  their  conditiuD  u»  one  of  freedom  or  servitude,  are 
as  such  i/iiiA-onog.  What  has  ju>t  been  said  of  the  importance  of 
uiLiintuining  the  distinction  between  dutilos  and  diahntux,  may  be 
illustrated  from  the  parable  of  the  niurriage  supper,  (Matt  xxii : 
-J-14)  :  "  With  UH  the  king's  'servants'  bria^  in  the  iuvit«d  liucsts, 
(vs.  3,  4,  8-10,)  and  his  'servants  '  are  bidden  to  cast  out  him  that 
had  not  on  a  wedding  garment  (v.  I'i);  but  in  Greek,  those,  the 
britipers-in  of  the  guests  are  di>nhd ;  these,  the  fulfillers  of  the 
king's  sentence  are  dinhotivi — this  distinction  being  a  most  real  one, 
and  belonging  to  the  essentials  of  the  parables.'' 

•'  In  this  long  quotation  from  Mr.  Trench,  you  have  clearly  drawn 
the  distinction  between  the  words  .so  often  confounded  in  our  version. 
My  interpretations  of  the  scriptures,  to  which  I  may  hereafter  refer, 
will  be  founded  on  these  distinctions.  Wherever  1  find  doulo.-.,  or 
douloi,  I  shall  be  sure  to  call  it  slave  and  slaves,  and  to  know  I  am 
right.  Dr.  Barnes  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding." 

"  Let  me  see  if  I  compruheud  these  distinctions,"  said  Nellie, 
'j  for  I  suppose  my  understanding  of  the  scriptures  to  which  reference 
may  be  made,  will  depend  upon  my  retention  of  them.  Tlurapon 
is  the  performer  of  present  services,  without  reference  to  the  fact 
whether  as  a  freeman  or  a.s  a  slave.  /^/«A-y//'«  represents  the  servant 
in  his  articify  for  the  uurA-,  not  in  his  n/ution  either  of  voluntaiy 
or  involuntary  servitude.  Neither  of  these  words  cuu  be  relied  ou 
to  prove  slavery,  though  in  our  Bible  thoy  are  rendered  servant. 

'<  Doxdos  means:  'One  in  a  permanent  relation  pf  servitude  to 
anotlier  ;'  a  bondman,  a  slave.  This  last,  then,  you  rely  upon  to 
prove  slavery.  It  'always  and  everywhece '  means  slavery.  Now  I 
um  ready  for  you  to  proceed."  , 

"  Dr.  Pratt."  said  Mr.  Thompson,  "  1  have  proved  by  a  number  of 
the  best  witnes.se8  1  could  produce,  and  those,  too,  whose  scholarship 
the  learned  world  has  acknowledged,  that  doulos  means  xlav  rod 
nothing  else.  As  a  lawyer  would  say,  *  I  close  for  the  present.'  If 
you  have  any  further  testimony,  produce  it,  '  or  forever  after  hold 
your  peace.'  Dr.  Barnes  is  your  only  witness  so  far  ;  and  as  interest, 
prejudice,  and  a  want  of  information  destroy  the  credibility  of  his 


NELLIE   NORTON.  129 

testimony,  I  await  the  introduction  of  others.     If  you  have  no  other 
witnesses,  I  shall  claim  a  confession." 

''  I  never  confess,"  said  the  Doctor,  "  without  an  imperative  neces- 
sity. I  always  go  before  the  jury,  to  carry  out  your  own  figure. 
You  can  proceed." 

"  Then,  in  the  first  p'ace,  I  shall  proceed  to  dhcredit  your  only 
witness.     You  look  surprised.     T  do  it,  not  for  the  sake  of  the  argu- 
u\ent,  but  for  the  honor  I  would  pay  to  Greek  literature.     As  Greek 
scholars,  Dr.  Barnes  would  have  us  believe  that  cioulos  may  mean  a 
'hired  servant,'  just  as  well  as  a  slave,  not  that  he  would  urge  the 
usage  of  Greek  writers  as  proof  of  his  assertion,  but  upon  his  own 
unsupported  word.     We  look  for  evidence  to  sustain  the  Doctor,  but 
find  none,  not  a  single  witness,  save  Dr.  Pratt.     Dr.  B.  says  :  '  It  is 
often  used  in  these  senses  in  the  New  Testament,  just  as  it  is  else- 
where' ;  but  he  gives  no  single  instance  , in  which  it  is  thus  used, 
nor  can  he.     '  If  the  term  duulos  signifies  a  'hired  servant'  or  'an 
apprentice,'  it  is  certainly  strange,  that  out  of  the  long  list  of  learned 
lexicographers,  not «  singrle  one  ever  found  it  out.     Stephcuis,  in  his 
Thesaurus  Ling.  Grace.  Art.  doulos,  was  equally  ignorant  of  any  such 
use  of  the  term.     Now,  is  it  not  to  be  regretted,  that  as  Dr.  Barnes  is 
the  only  man  who  has  ever  made  this  discovery,  he  did  not  give  us  some 
insight  into  the  sources  from  which  he  derived  his  information,  but 
he  has  aot  condescended  to  adduce  a  single  example  in  which  his 
definiiion  is  applicable.     'The  Greek  word,  doulos,'  says  Dr   Smith, 
in  his  Dictionary  of  Antiquities,  '  like  the  Latin  serus,  corresponds 
to  the  usual  meaning  of  our  word  slave.'     Aristotle,  whom  we  may 
suppose  to  have  understood  Greek  as  well  a.s  any  one  else,  (save  Dr, 
Barnes.)  defines  a  slave  (jloulos)  to  be  a  living  working  tool,  a  pos- 
session, to  be  not  a  servant  of  any  kind,  but  a  dace.     Dr.  iMacKnio-ht 
renders  the  word  douhs  slave.  •  But  1  will  not  weary  you  with  thcde 
proofs.     '  In  the  mouth  of  two  or  three  witness^es  every  word  shall 
be  established.'     The  scholarship  of  the  world  has  passed  judgment 
against  you  and  Dr.  ^.,  a^id  you  must  sufler  the  penalty." 

"  You  remind  me  very  much,"  said  the  J)octor,  "of  one  of  our 
good  preachers  at  the  North,  who,  when  he  establishes  a  point,  is  so 
proud  he  stops  to  crow  over  it.  Your  crowing  is  rather  more  noisy 
than  one  would  expect  of  a  staid,  prim,  scholarly  Christian  like 
yourself.     Better  do  as  the  blacksmith,  who,  when  he  has  driven  the 

nail,  only  slops  long  enough  to  cliDch  it,  and " 

"That  is  just  what   he  has  done,"   said  Nellie,  with  a  glance  of 
triumpli  towards  Mr.  Mortimer.     "  His  proofs  are  certainly  conolu. 
Q 


180  NELLIK   NORTON. 

sive.  But,  uncle,  you  need  not  think  we  would  grow  weary  of 
additional  testimony,  for  while  you  have  certainly  afforded  enough, 
yet.  if  you  have  more,  you  can  '  make  assurance  doubly  sure.'  " 

"  Well,  then,"  Kaid  her  uncle,  "  one  or  two  niure  witnesses. 
Donnegan  says :  '  Duulos  a  slave,  a  servant,  as  opposed  to  cltspote.*,  a 
master.'     But  he  never  applies  it  to  hired  .servants. 

"  Conybeare  and  IIowhod  ;  '  iJouhs  a  bondsman'  They  say  of 
Paul'e  letter  to  Philemon  :  '  This  letter  is  not  only  a  beautiful  illus- 
tration of  the  character  of  St.  Paul,  but  also  a  practical  commentary 
upon  the  precepts  concerning  the  mutual  relations  of  slaves  and 
masters,  given  in  his  contemporary  epistles  ' 

"  Dr.  Kendrick,  of  Rochester,  New  York,  in  a  lew  articles  written 
for  the  New  York  Examiner,  a  few  years  ago,  gives  the  meaning  of 
(loulos  to  be  iJavf.  He  argued  the  (juestion  with  his  Abolition 
brethren  with  a 'scholarly  ability  that  quite  put  them  to  the  blush. 
1  am  sorry  I  did  not  preserve  his  articles,  that  you  might  see  how 
he  puts  the  (juestion  forever  at  rest.  I  remember  his  articles  created 
quite  a  fluttering  among  the  Abolition  theologianti  at  the  time,  and 
they  put  on  a  doleful  face,  and  sighed  through  their  papers,  and 
expressed  many  regrets  that  brother  Kendrick  should  have  spoken  at» 
all,  if  such  were  his  views ;  but  they  did  not,  so  far  as  I  now  remem- 
ber, attempt  to  controvert  his  positions. 

"  Dr.  Hacket,  of  New  England,  in  his  revision  of  I'hilemun,  states 
in  a  foot-note  that  duiiloi  means  slave.  In  the  body  of  the  letter  he 
says  servant,  to  please,  perhaps,  the  Abolitionists  ;  but  he  was  afraid 
to  risk  his  reputation  as  a  scholar,  and  therefore  adds  the  marginal 
note. 

"  Mr.  Sumner  makes  a  gre:it  ado  about  slavery  and  the  Bible,  and 
declares  that  slavery  cannot  be  j>roved  from  the  New  Testament,  but 
that  the  very  opposite  can.  ]iut  Senator  Sumner  has  no  reputation 
aa  a  scholar,  so  far  as  1  know;  certainly  none  as  a  theologian,  and  if 
he  has  any  for  veracity,  it  has  not  made  its  way  thus 'far  frum  his 
home.  Eike  many  of  his  class,  he  asserts  a  fact,  and  when  asked 
for  the  proof,  re-asserts  it  with  vehemence.  But  this  is  quite 
enough  to  satisfy  the  Northern  mind  ;  they  never  ask  for  proof  from 
an  Abolitionist — they  want  none;  the  wildest  and  most  reckless 
assertions  are  received  a^  true  beyond  all  question. 

"  But,  sir,  I  have  done  with  the  philological  part  of  my  argument, 
and  am  prepared  to  show,  that  according  to  the  definition  given  by 
the  learned  world  to  f/'>i;/oji,  slavery  existed  in  the  apostolic  age;  that 
it  was  known  and  understood  by  Christ  and  his  apostles ;  that  thoy 


NELLIE  NORTON.  131 

Irecognlzed  it  as  ono  of  the  social  relations  of  life,  aad  endorsed  it; 
that  they  commanded  slaves  to  be  obedient  to  their  masters;  that 
they  commended  the  faith  of  slaveholders  and  received  them  into 
■  their  churches. 

Mr.  Mortimer,  will  you  turn  to  Ephcsians  vi :  9  and  see  if  the 
word  translated  servants  is  not  douloi." 

''It  is,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Mortimer,  "but  I  would  suggest  that  Dr. 
Pratt  have  the  Greek  Testament,  so  as  to  place  all  imposition  out  of 
the  question,  so  I  will  hand  it  to  him." 

"  Mas  George,  Miss  Penny  mighty  sick,  sir;  she  want  to  see  you," 
Baid  Phebe,  entering)  and  interrupting  the  conversation. 

Mr.  Thompson  hastened  to  his  wife's  room  and  found  her  very  ill 
with  intjipient  pneumonia.  He  immediately  sent  Jack  for  the  doc- 
tor. Returning  for  a  moment  to  the  parlor  he  excused  himself  for 
the  evening,  and  stated  that  from  present  indications  the  discussion 
would  have  to  be  suspended  till  a  change  was  effected  in  his  wife's 
health,  which  might  be  several  days,  for  she  was  violently  attacked. 

Mr.  Mortimer  took  his  hat,  and  bidding  them  good  evening,  re- 
tired. Nellie  ran  into  the  room  of  her  aunt,  whom  she  loved  most 
dearly,  to  see  if  she  could  afford  any  assistance.  Dr.  Pratt,  after  sit- 
ting for  a  full  half  hour  in  a  brown  study,  went  to  his  room,  where 
he  found  a  warm  fire  brightly  biasing.  Looking  to  his  left,  on  a  centre 
table,  he' discovered  a  small  book,  but  finding  it  was  entitled  "  South 
Side  view  of  Slavery,"  he  was  tempted  to  put  it  down  again,  but 
finding  no  other  book  in  the  room  but  the  Bible,  and  not  feeling  in  a 
very  devotional  frame  of  mind,  he  opened  the  book  at  chapter  seventh, 
and  seeing  in  large  letters  "  Revolting  features  of  Slavery,"  he  read; 

"  Passing  up  the  steps  of  a  court  hoube  in  a  Southern  town,  with 
Rome  gentlemen,  I  saw  a  man  sitting  on  the  steps  with  a  colored  in- 
fant wrapped  in  a  coverlet,  its  face  visible  and  the  child  asleep. 

"  It  is  difficult  for  some  who  have  young  children  not  to  bestow  a 
passing  look  or  salutation  upon  a  child;  but  besides  this,  the  sight 
before  me  seemed  out  of  place  and  strange.  '  Is  this  child  sick,'  said 
I  to  the  man,  as  I  was  going  up  the  steps. 

'  No,  master,  she  is  going  to  be  sold.' 

'  Sold  !  where  is  her  mother  V 

*  At  home,  master.' 

'  How  old  is  the  child  ?' 

'  She  is  about  a  year,  maater.' 

*  You  are  not  selling  the  child,  of  course.     How  comes  she  here  V 


182  .KKLLIE   N'ORTOy 

'  I  don't  know,  ranBtcr,  onlj  the  sheriff  told  me  to  sit  down  h«r6 
aod  wait  till  twelve  o'clo.'k,  eir.' 

"It  in  hardlj  necesi»ary  to  say  that  m}"  heart  died  withiu  me.  Now 
I  had  found  slavery  in  its  most  nwful  feature — the  separation  of  a 
child  from  it«  mother.  'The  mother  in  at  home,  mahter.'  >Vhat  arc 
her  feelings  ;  what  were  they  when  she  missed  the  infant  '/  Waa  it 
taken  openly  or  by  stealilj  ?  Who  has  done  this?  What  shape — 
what  face  bad  be  't  The  mother  i»*  not  dead ;  *  the  mother  is  at  home, 
master.'  What  did  they  do  to  you,  Rachel,  weopinj^  and  refusing 
to  be  comforted,  rndetermincd  whether  I  would  witness  the  sale, 
whether  T  could  tru.'t  royM-lt  in  ftuch  a  t-ceDe,  I  walked  into  a  friend's 
law  office  and  looked  at  his  books.  I  beard  the  j-beriff's  voice.  '  the 
public  outc.-)-,'  as  the  vendue  is  called,  but  did  not  go  out — partly  be- 
cause I  would  not  betray  the  feelings  which  I  knew  would  be  awak- 
enencd.  One  of  my  friends  met  me  a  few  minutes  after,  who  hikd 
witnessed  the  transaction. 

'  You  did  not  see  the  sale,'  he  said. 

*  No;  wa.s  the  child  sold  V 

♦  Yes,  for  one  hundred  and  forty  dollars.' 

"  I  could  t;ike  this  case  so  far  as  I  have  related  it,  and  go  into  any 
pulpit  or  upon  any  platform  at  the  North,  and  awaken  the  deepest 
emotions  known  to  the  human  heart,  harrow  up  the  ftelings  of  every 
father  and  mother,  and  make  them  pass  a  resolution,  surcharged  with 
all  the  righteous  indignntion  which  lunjzuage  can  expres.s.  ('  Yes, 
and  you  ou):bt  to  do  it,"  thought  l)r.  1'.  quite  imdibly.) 

."  On  relating  what  1  had  seen  to  nome  Southern  ladies,  they  be- 
came pale  with  emotion;  they  were  »ileiit;  they  were  filled  with 
evident  distrchs  ....  Puring  my  ^tay  in  the  place,  three  or  four 
estimable  gentlemen  said  to  me,  *  I  understand  tliat  you  sjiw  that  in- 
fant sold,  the  other  day.  We  are  very  sorry  that  you  happened  t<> 
sea  »♦•.  Nothing  of  the  kind  ever  took  place  before,  to  our  knowledge, 
and  we  all  feared  that  it  would  make  an  unhuppy  impression  upon 
you.'  The  manner  in  wbicb  thi.s  was  said  affected  me  almost  as 
much  as  the  thing  which  had  given  occasion  to  it.  Southern  hearts  and 
consciences.  1  lelt  re-!issnred,  were  no  more  insensible  than  mine.  The 
system  had  not  steeled  the  feelings  of  these  gentlemen.  .  .  1  received 
three  or  four  statemeats  of  the  case,  and  this  is  the  substance  oi 
them  :  '  The  mother  of  this  infant  belonged  to  a  man  who  had  become 
embarrassed  in  his  circumstances,  in  consequence  of  which  the  mother 
was  sold  to  another  family  in  the  same  place,  before  the  birth  of  the 
child  ;  but  the  first  owoec  laid  claim  to  the  child,  and  there  was  some 


NELLIE  NORTON.  IBS 

legal  doubt  with  regard  tc\  his  claim.  He  was  disposed  to  maintain 
his  claim,  and  it  became  a  question  how  the  child  should  be  takcu 
from  him.  A  legal  gentleman,  whose  came  is  familiar  to  the  coun- 
try, told  me  that  he  was  consulted,  and  advised  that,  through  an  old 
execution  the  child  should  be  levied  upon  and  be  sold  at  auction,  and 
thus  be  removed  from  him.  The  plan  succeeded.  The  child  wag 
attached,  advertised  and  ofifered  for  sale.  The  motlur's  master  bought 
it  at  more  than  double  the  ratable  price,  and  the  child  went  to  its 
mother.  Nor  was  this  all.  In  the  company  of  bidders  there  was  a 
man  employed  by  a  generous  lady  to  attend  the  sale,  and  see  that  the 
infant  was  restored  to  its  mother.  The  lady  had  heard  that  the  sale 
was  to  take  place,  but  did  not  fully  know  the  circumstances,  and  her 
purpose  was  to  prevent  the  child  from  passing  from  the  parent.  Ac 
cordingly,  her  agent  and  the  agent  of  the  master  were  bidding  against 
each  other  for  some  time,  each  with  the  same  benevolent  determina- 
tion to  restore  the  child  to  its  mother.  Rachel  was  comforted. 
Rather,  she  had  no  need  of  being  comforted,  for  the  sheriff  was,  in 
this  case,  to  be  her  avenger  and  protector.  Here  was  slavery  restoring 
a  child  to  its  mother;  here  was  a  system  which  can  deal  in  unborn 
infants,  redressing  its  own  wrong.  Moreover,  the  law  which  forbids 
the  sale  of  children  under  five  years,  was  violated  in  order  to  keep 
the  child  with  its  mother.  The  man  who'  had  the  claim  on  the  un- 
born child  was  from  Counecticiit." 

"  Who  is  this  '  South  Side  view  of  Slavery'  written  by,"  said  the 
Doctor,  mentally;  "let  me  see.  Nehemiah  Adams,  D.  D.,  published 
in  Boston,  by  T.  R.  Marvin.  What!  a  Massachusetts  man  writing 
this  way  I  WeJl,  we  will  never  put  down  slavery  at  this  rate  ;  this 
is  bolstering  it  up.  This  is  not  the  side  of  the  question  I  want.  This 
Southern  nabob  has  given  me  too  much  of  that  already.  1  wish  1 
was  better  prepared  te  meet  him.  But  the  truth  is,  he  has  the  schol- 
ars of  the  age  on  his  side;  there  is  no  doubt  of  that,  and  I  shall  touch 
that  question  as  lightly  as  possible  ;  prudence  suggestg  ni/ence,  so  far 
as  1  dare  maintain  it.  But  if  the  scholars  were  bin  only  strength  1 
<'ould  do  better ;  but  much  as  wc  condemn  slavery,  I  fear  I  shall  not 
be  able  to  bring  one  single  precept  from  the  New  Testament  against 
it,  for  some  how  or  other  I  cannot  quote  one  that  he  does  not  make  it 
mean  something  else.  Even  Dr.  Way  land  has  made  that  unfortunate 
admission,  that  there  is  no  precept  in  the  New  Testament  against  it. 
He  never  should  have  made  any  such  admission,  even  if  it  be  true. 
There  was  no  necessity  for  it.  The  Scriptural  condemnation  must  be 
by  implication,  and  that  will  never  reach  the  hearts  of  these  incorrig- 


134  S'ELLIB  NORTON. 

ible  Soiitbcrnera,  especially  when  we  cannot  deny  that  Christ  and  the 
Apostle?  lived  in  a  land  of  slavery  and  paw  the  institution  in  all  its 
bearinps.  T  know  Senator  Sumner  pays  the  Bible  is  against  it;  I 
could  quote  him.  but  then  Thon)p!!on  is  fiich  a  stickler  for  proof, 
that  I  know  he  would  riddle  him  at  once,  and  that  would  only  show 
the  weakness  of  my  caupe.  I  don't  know  what  I  shall  do.  Yes  I 
do,  T  will  play  the  man  ;  I  will  stflnd  np  to  the  la.st ;  I'll  fipht  slavery, 
though  T  have  to  do  it  without  a  weapon.  I'll  not  do  a.s  Adams  did. 
They  shall  not  gtill  me  in  that  manner,  never,  no  never.  There  is 
too  much  hternness  in  this  heart,  too  much  iron  in  this  will,  fof 
such  puerile  vacillation.  Hut,  really  I  am  a  little  troubled  about  it. 
Christ  did  not  rebuke  it,  the  Apostles  did  not,  neither  did  they 
pray  for  its  discontinuance,  but  I  do.  Then  it  follows  that  I  and  the 
abolition  world  are,  as  christians,  doing  that  for  which  there  is  no 
apostolic  prrcrpt  or  example.  Are  we  better  than  they  ?  "  How 
hhall  I  curse  whom  God  hath  not  cursed  ?  or  how  shall  I  defy  whom 
the  Lord  hath  not  defied  ?''  But  ps-haw  !  What  a  train  of  reflection 
1  am  indulging.  I  do  believe  I  am  about  to  go  crazy.  Ah,  its  a 
temptation.  '  Get  thee  behind  me.'  I  am  in  the  land  of  slavery, 
and  it  is  very  natural  I  bhould  not  be  so  stroni^ly  against  it,  where  all 
I  hear  is  in  its  favor,  as  if  I  were  where  the  reverse  is  truOk  Well. 
I  will  think  of  wife,  and  write  her  a  letter  to-nipht" 

So  we  will  leave' the  Doctor  to  commune  with  his  loved  one  far 
away,  hoping  he  may  become  a  more  devout  lover  of  divine  and  apos- 
tolic precepts  and  examples,  at  some  future  day. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Mrs.  Thompson's  illness — All  remedies  /ail — Negroes  pray  for  her — 
The  sick  room — Affecting  scene — Effect  of  prayer. 

After  Mr.  Thompson  had  dispatched  a  servant  for  his  family  phy- 
BJcian,  he  applied  such  remedies  as  he  hoped  would  afford  Mrs. 
Thompson  temporary  relief.  On  the  arrival  of  the  Doctor  he  pro- 
nounced the  disease  pneumonia,  and  informed  Mr.  T.  that  the  attack 
was  one  of  unusual  violence,  and  would  require  prompt  treatment 
and  the  most  vigilant  care  in  nursing.  He  was  well  known  to  the 
family  as  a  skillful  physician,  and  as  a  man  who  never  g^ve  needless 
alarm.  Mr.  T.  felt  the  most  painful  anxietj'  for  his  wife,  upon  whom 
he  had  always  looked  as  one  of  God's  best  gifts  to  him.  Nellie  pro- 
posed to  watch  by  her  aunt's  bedside  with  her  uncle  during  the  night. 
It  was  with  unfeigned  reluctance  that  she  retired  when  iniornied  by 
her  uncle  that  he  might  need  her  more  at  another  time. 

For  several  days  Mrs.  Thompson  grew  worse.  Every  effort  of  the 
physician  wa^  ineffectual;  till  at  length  her  life  was  despaired  of. 
Mrs.  Norton  had  been  all  attention  and  tenderness.  She  loved  her 
sister  ;  and  then  she  felt  so  deep  a  sympathy  for  her  brother  and  his 
interesting  family  of  children.  Nellie,  too,  who  had  found  a  conge- 
nial spirit  in  her  accomplished  aunt,  felt  a  distress  at  her  condition 
almost  beyond  endurance.  She  had  looked  forward  to  so  many  happy, 
joyous  days  in  the  society  of  ber  whose  spirit  now  seemed  vibraAjng 
between  two  worlds,  and  sighing  to  "  depart  and  be  at  peace."  E^u 
Dr.  Pratt  was  moved  to  earnest  prayers  for  her  recovery.  But  all 
.seemed  unavailing.  The  hand  of  (he  destroyer  was,  it  heemed,  upon 
her,  and  his  terrible  hold  none  could  break. 

"  Uncle  Jesse,"  said  Phebt,  when  at  twilight  the  good  old  servant 
came  up  to  inquire  how  his  mistress  was  ;  '"Uncle  Jesse,  Mies  Penny 
mighty  low  ;  the  doctor  says  she's  gwino  to  die.  You  been  prayin' 
for  her,  Uncle  Jci-se  ?" 

*'  Don't  you  know  I  been  prayio''  for  dear  Miss  Penny.  I  pray 
most  all  night  last  night.  I  couldn't  sleep,  1  been  on  my  knees 
twenty  times,  I  speck.  Poor  Miss  Penny,  God  bless  her  and  spare 
her  to  us  a  long  time  yet,  I  pray,  if  it  be  thy  blessed  will." 

"  I^ncle  Jesse,  can't  you  and  Uncle  Dick  and  Gabriel  and  the  rest 
of  you,  go  and  hold  a  prayer  meeting  for  Miss   Penny?     I  'member 


136  NELLIE  NORTON. 

Mas  Georfie  read  in  the  Tcfitatnent  that  Josus  cure  sick  people  when 
he  here  on  earth.     lie  can  cure  Miss  Penny  but  the  doctor  can't." 

"  YcB,  I  ^'o  now  and  pee  the  brothers,  and  we  will  pray  for  her. 
The  Bible  tay  '  the  pra^crof  faith  trhall  eave  the  pick.'  O  T,-  r<].  in- 
crease  our  laith.     irister  I'hcbe,  you  pray  too." 

"  1  have  been  prajiti'  all  the  time,"'  paid  Phebe,  as  bhe  burbt  into 
tear's  and  turned  away,  wipin;;  her  cych  with  her  apron. 

\'ucle  Jesse  went  out  to  bunt  up  "  ♦he  brothers."  ^'ery  soon  they 
all  as.«!cnihlrd  in  the  house  of  pious  Diek,  the  o.«tlcr.  I'nele  Jesse 
arose  and  stated  the  object  of  the  ujceiing  ah  follows  : 

"  My  brothers,  God  been  good  to  tis,  to  pive  us  a  kind  niistis 
like  Miss  Petiiiv  always  been  to  us.  She  alwavs  speak  good  to 
us  ;  she  treat  us  well  all  the  time.  She  nuss  us  when  we  sick  ;  she 
kind  to  our  wives  and  chilcns.  Nobody  got  pood  luistis  like  we  is. 
God  send  sickness  on  her.  The  doctor  can't  do  her  no  j.'ood;  he  say 
she  gwine  to  die.  I  call  you  here,  uiy  brothers,  to  pray  fur  our  dear 
good  mistis,  that  Jesus,  the  Great  Physician,  come  and  cure  her,  like 
he  did  when  lie  was  here  on  earth,  if  it  be  his  holy  will.  He  say, 
the  pnyer  of  faith  shall  eave  the  sick.  He  say  wheresomcver  two 
or  three  are  gathiered  together,  there  I  am  in  the  very  midst.  Now, 
brothers,  Jesus  is  here  to-night  with  us.  1  feel  in  my  heart  he  is 
here.  He  will  help  us  to  Jiray,  and  he'll  hear  our  prayers  and  break 
oflf  the  monia  from  Miss  Penny.  Only  Minr,  brothers,  when  you 
pray,  for  Jesus  says  all  things  are  possible  to  them  that  believe.  O 
Jesus  Master,  help  us  to  believe  I  Brother  Dick,  you  pmy  first."  All 
knelt,  and  Dick  lifted  up  his  heart  in  fervent  supplications,  while  his 
liX'gave  utterance  in  broken  accents,  with  sobs  and  tears,  to  the  fol- 
lowing prayer:  "0  dear  Master  God,  fur  Jesus  sake,  help  this  poor 
servant  to  pray  fur  his  poor  sick  misti.s.  Jle  would  not  ask  for  a. 
form,  nor  lor  a  fashion,  but  /'or  de  lone  sake  of  blaster  Jesus,  dy 
dear  Son.  O,  for  his  sake  drop  dy  frown  behind  de  mountain,  and 
come  over  de  hill  of  our  traus-irc^hunis  and  hear  de  prayer  of  dese 
dy  poor  servants.  O  Daniel's  God,  help  dy  poor  creature  to  pray 
aright 'fore  de  dis  afternoon.  Be  dou  de  good  Physican  to  stand  by 
de  bedside  of  my  dear  mistis  and  buke  de  fever  and  de  monia,  and 
give  her  to  us  once  more,  if  it  be  dy  holy  will.  Take  her  by  de 
hand  and  raise  her  right  up,  and  put  dy  strong  arm  under  her  to  make 
her  strong.  She  been  kind  to  dy  poor  servants,  she  been  good  to  all 
de  people.  0  Master  Jesus,  cure  Miss  Penny.  She  got  little  chilens 
too  ;  what  will  dey  dt)  widout  her  I  O  spare  her  for  dcy's  sake.  And 
Mas  George  ;  be  too  mighty  good — what  will  he  do  'f     His  heart  be 


NELLIE   NORTON.  137 

broken  !  0  Master  Jesus,  don't  take  Miss  Penny  away  from  him, 
our  dear  master.  0  please,  if  it  be  dy  will,  break  off  her  sickness 
and  make  her  well.  She  teaches  us  dy  blessed  word  ;  she  read  it  to 
us  ebry  Sunday;  she  tell  us  about  ble.ssed  Master  Jesus.  0  for  his 
sake  give  us  Wins  Penny,  our  dear,  good  mistis;  don't  take  her  away 
now,  if  it  be  dy  holy  will.  0,  broders,  pray  for  our  dear  Miss  Pen- 
ny, dat  de  Lord  may  give  her  to  us,  for  dy  dear  Son's  sake.  0  Lord, 
please,  dear  Master  God,  don't  send  my  dear  mistis  down  to  de  cold 
grave  dis  time,  if  it  be  dy  most  holy  will.  "We  all  begs  for  Christ's, 
sake.     Amen." 

The  meeting  was  continued  till  about  eleven  o'clock,  when  it  was  re- 
solved to  go  to  the  house  and  ask  "  Mas  George"  to  let  them  see  Miss 
Penny  and  pray  with  her.  About  twenty,  male  and  female,  went  up 
to  the  door  and  halted,  while  Uncle  Jesse  softly  approached  the  door 
of  the  sick  chamber,  and  while  looking  in  on  the  pale,  wan  face  of 
his  emaciated  mistress,  the  big  tears  chased  each  other  in  rapid  suc- 
cession down  his  black  cheeks. .  He  beckoned  to  his  master,  who 
came  to  the  door.  Taking  him  a  little  out,  so  as  not  to  disturb  the 
sick,  he  informed  him  that  about  twenty  of  the  servants  were 'at  the 
outer  door  and  in  the  yard,  and  wanted  to  see  Miss  Penny,  and  if  he 
would  let  them,  pray  with  her.  Mr.  Thompson  beckoned  to  the  doc- 
tor, who  came  to  see  what  was  wanting.  When  informed  of  the 
mission  of  Uncle  Jesse,  the  doctor  entered  his  protest,  and  said  it 
must  not  be  done — they  must  not  come  in  to  see  her,  much  less  to 
make  a  noise  ;  it  would  excite  Mrs.  T.,  and  she  might  sink  immediate- 
ly under  the  excitement.  "  Do  you  think  she  will  live  through  the 
night,  doctor  1'"  asked  Mr.  Thompson,  as  his  lip  (juivercd  and  his 
voice  became  tremulous  with  emotion. 

"  I  think  it  jyossiUc  she  may,  but  there  is  no  certainty  about  it." 

'*  Then,"  said  Mr.  Thomp.son,  '•'  if  my  negroes  do  not  see  her  to- 
night, they  may  never  look  upon  her  living  form  again.  Unless  y»u 
are  very  ]»ositive  in  your  opposition  to  it,  doctor,  I  am  disjiosed  to 
grant  the  request  of  my  servants,  at  least od  far  as  to  let  them  come 
in  and  see  her.     Can't  I  leave  it  to  her,  doctor  ?" 

"  It  may  hasten  her  death,  Mr.  Thompson,  but  you  can  do  as  you 
please.  But  don't  ask  her  if  she  is  uillivg  to  see  them,  but  if  she 
desires  to;  don't  let  her  know  they  are  here." 

This  conversation  was  carried  on  in  a  low  whisper  just  outside  of  the 
sick  chamber.     Mr.  T.  approached  the  bedside  of  his  sick  wife,  en 
one  side  of  which  Nellie  wa."?  sitting,  with  a   countenance  that  indi- 
cated deep  mental  pain  and  anxiety ;  her  face  was  pale  and  her  eyes 
R 


138  NKLLIK    NORTON. 

were  wet  with  woepin{».     Her  mother  reclined  ou  a  soft  couch  near 
by,  with   her  eyes  fixed  upon  the  face  of  her  invalid  sister.     Phebe 
stood  at  the  foot  of  the  bed. with  her  hands  renting. on   the  back 
of  a  cliair,  ready  to  go  at  tlie  behest  of  any  one  who  comniandod  her 
for  her  mistress.     I'r.  Pratt   had  oouie  in  an   hour  before,  and  was 
sitting  in  an  easy  chair  near  the  fire.     l»eep  sadness  was  visible  on 
every  face,  and  a  death-like  stillnc-is  reigned  through  the  room.    Mrs. 
Thompson  lay  with  her  eyes  closed,  ber  hair  brush*  d   neatly  back 
Jrom  her  forehead,  with  a  brow  as  colorless  as  marble  and  a  slight 
flush  upon  her  check.     She  had  been  fully  conscious  of  her  critical 
state  all  the  time  ;  but  was  resigned  to  the   Divine  Will,  whatever 
that  might  be.     She  loved  her  hu.>«band  devotedly,  and   her  children 
with  a  fondness  which  none  but  a  mothcrever  feels.     Por  a  few  days 
after  she  was  attacked,  she  did  not  feel  that  she  could  give  them  up 
and  leave  them.     But  she  was  now  content.     God,  her  Father  and 
Friend,  would  take   care  of  them.     He  would   guide  und  comfort 
them,  and  bring  them  all  at  last  to  the  scenes  of  bliss  which  her  faith 
portrayed  in  the  near  prospect.     IJut  Mr.  T's  heart  was  wrung  with 
bitterest  anguish.     A  dark  and  lonely  future  was  before  him.     His 
prospects  for  this  life  he  felt  were  to  be  forever  blighted ;  his  pre- 
cious little  children  soon  to  lie  bereft  of  a  mother,     With  such  a 
mother  but  few  were  ever  blessed.     Though  a  man  of  great  iaith  and 
fortitude  in  trials,  generally,  now  they  seemed  to  fail  him.     (Jod  wa.i 
jmt,  he  knew,   he  Iclt  it,  but  was   there  lovr,  was  there   nurry  and 
(/oo(/nf us  in  a  j>rovidence  so  sad  ?     Could /orr   tear  asunder  hearts  so 
lovingly  united  T     Could  love  bereave  five  young  children  of  the  best, 
most  tender  and  faithful  mother  that  ever  blessed  a  ianiily  by  her 
example  and  intlucnce  ?     Ctmld  love  tear  away   from  an  aflectionate 
and  devoted  hmfband    the  wile  of  his  bosom^  the  only  object  that 
made  life  sweet,  and  without  whom  existence   itselt  would  scarcely 
be  tolerable.     Could  loir  do  all   this  'i     But  then  lie  wouhl  cry  for 
help  from  Him  who  is  his  people's  ^Irevf/t/i,  and  his  faith  would  in- 
crease, till,  by  Divine  asii^^tancc,  he  could  say  "though  He  slay  me, 
yet  will  1  trust  in  Him." 

The  whole  family,  whito  and  colored,  were  in  great  distress.  The 
servants  did  not  feel  that  they  could  forego  the  sad  pleasure  of  onc« 
more  looking  upon  the  face  of  their  beloved  mistress;  and  .Mr. 
Thompson,  believing  that  this  night  would  close  the  eiuthly  pilgrim- 
age of  his  wife,  was  unwilling  to  deny  them  this  privilege.  Ho 
therefore  approached  his  wile  softly  and  asked  her  if  she  desired  to 
see  the  servants. "  She  opened  her  eyes  and  looking  around  the  room 


NELLIE   NORTON,  139 

to  sec  who  was  present,  answered  emphatically,  '*  Yes."  He  then 
told  her  they  were  at  the  door,  and  he  would  let  them  come  in,  one  at 
a  time,  and  see  her,  but  that  she  must  not  let  it  disturb  or  excite  her. 
"No,"  said  she,  "  let  them  all  come  at  once."  Mr.  T.  stepped  back 
and  told  them  to  go  in  as  easily  as  possible,  one  following  the  other. 

"  Uncle  Jesse"  led  the  way,  and  approaching  the  bed,  held  out  his 
hand,  and,  taking  hold  of  Mrs.  T's  hand,  said  "God  bless  you,  my 
dear  mistis,  and  make  you  well  again."  Juda  came  next,  and  hold- 
ing out  her  hand,  burst  into  tears  at  the  sight  of  her  emaciated  mis- 
tress. All  who  were  not  too  deeply  affected  to  speak,  had  some  kind 
word  for  "  Miss  Penny,"  as  they  took  her  hand.  Dick,  for  a  won- 
•  der,  was  behind.  When  he  came  up,  she  said,  "  Sing  for  me.  our 
good  old  song — 

'  O  sing  to  mc  of  heaven.' " 

Dick  paused,  cleared  his  throat,  and  looked  at  "  Mas  George," 
who  did  not  shake  his  head.  So  he  stepped  to  the  door  and  softly 
called  those  who  were  just  leaving.  They  all  returned,  when  Dick 
led  off,  followed  by  all  the  rest — 

"  0  sing  to  me  of  heaven 

"When  I  am  called  to  die — 
Sing  Bongs  of  holy  ecstasy, 
To  ■waft  my  soul  on  high. 

When  cold  and  sluggish  drops 

Roll  off  ray  marble  brow. 
Burst  forth  in  strains  of  jpyfulness, 

Let  heaven  begin  below. 

When  the  last  moment  comes, 

0  watch  my  dying  face, 
And  catch  the  bright  serajihic  gleam 

Which  o'er  each  feature  plaj-s. 

Then  to  my  ravished  ears, 

Let  one  sweet  song  be  given ; 
Let  music  charm  mc  last  on  earth, 

And  greet  me  first  in  heaven." 

A  sweet,  heavenly  smile  played  over  the  face  of  Mrs.  T.,  while 
the  negroes  were  singing.  Nellie,  poor  dear  girl,  sobbed  irresistibly, 
and  even  Dr.  Pratt  wept  big  tears  of  mingled  joy  and  sympathy. 
Mr.  T's  whole  frame  shook  ;  while  many  voices  among  the  colored 
songsters  were  tremulous  with  deep  emotion. 

'<  Uncle  Jesse,"  said  Mrs.  T.,  feebly,  "I  want  you  to  pray  for  me." 

Jesse   looked   round    for  his  master's  approbation,    but  his  face 

was   concealed  and    his  frame  almost  convulsed,   so    Uncle   Jesse 

feeling  that  "prayer  never  hurt  no  body,"  he  said,  "  Brothers  and 

gisters,  let  us  all  pray.     Do  please,  Master  Jesus,  bear  us  this  ooc 


140  NELLIE   NORTOX. 

time  more  for  our  dear  mistis.  You  have  said  what>omever  we  ask  iu 
faith  you  will  give  it  to  us.  You  say  in  your  word,  Ask  and  yc  shall 
receive  ;  and  you  told  us  the  prayer  of  faith  shall  save  the  sick.  We 
bleaves  thy  word.  Darefore,  O  Jesus,  bless  my  Miss  Penny.  Be 
the  Good  Physician,  to  heal  her  sickness  and  make  her  well  again 
once  more,  if  it  be  thy  holy  will.  0  Master  God,  look  upon  poor 
servant,  for  Jesus'  sake,  and  listen  to  hi«  prayers.  Poor  sick  mistis 
ask  this  poor  servant  to  jiray  for  her  once  more — 0  give  us  back  Misa 
Penny  as  alive  from  the  dead.  But  speak  the  word,  and  she  shall 
get  well  again,  for  you  did  say,  Lazarus,  come  forth  I  and  the  dead 
did  live  and  come  up  out  ol  the  grave.  l>o  please,  my  Heavenly 
Master,  give  her  back  to  us  again,  for  Jesus'  sake,  if  it  be  thy  most* 
holy  will,  and  we  will  praise  thee  forevermore,  for  Jesus'  sake. 
Amen." 

The  colored  people  all  retired  to  their  houses  after  the  prayer. 
Uncle  Jesse,  however,  lingered  at  the  door  till  he  could  catch  his 
master's  eye,  then  beckoning  to  him,  he  walked  to  the  outer  door, 
and  stopping,  said,  "  I  mighty  sorry  for  you,  but  the  Lord  is  good — 
hrs  mercy  cndureth  forevermore — it  never  fail  him.  I  bleave  Miss 
Penny  gwine  to  get  well."  "  But,  Uncle  Jesse,"  said  his  master, 
"  the  doctor  says  she  cannot ;  that  fkc  will  die  to-night."  "  The 
doctor  can't  cure  her,  Mas  George,  but  the  Lord  Jesus  can.  He 
fetch  up  LaZaru8"froui  the  grave  after  he  be  dead  four  days,  and  he  able 
to  make  Miss  Penny  well  agriin,  too.  You  look  to  Jesus  and  trust 
in  him,  and  not  in  the  doctor,  and  you  sec  if  Miss  Penny  don't  get 
well  agin." 

Nellie  and  her  mother  had  just  given  Mrs.  'J'hompson  a  little 
wine,  lest  she  might  sink  under  the  reaction  from  the  excitement. 

Having  lain  about  two  hours,  with  her  eyes  closed,  save  when  she 
made  a  feeble  effort  to  cough,  she  opened  tJiem,  and  motioning  to 
her  husband  to  come  to  her,  she  said  in  a  soft  whisper,  "  Husband, 
I  am  going  to  get  well." 

"I  hope  so;  but  why  do  you  think  it?  do  you  ieel  so  n)uch 
better?" 

"  'Whatsoever  ye  ask,  believing,  ye  shall  receive,  that  the  Father 
may  be  glorified  in  the  Son,'  is  just  as  much  intended  for  our  servants 
as  for  us,"  she  replied,  "  and  I  believe  uncle  Jesse  asked  in  faith, 
don't  you  ? " 

"  Yes,  my  dear,  I  do,"  replied  her  husband,  with  deep  emotion. 

The  Doctor  had  retired  to  a  room,  to  obtain  a  little  sleep,  as  the 
servants  entered.     He  gave  instructions,  that  if  any,  the  slightest 


NELLIE   NORTON.  141 

change  for" the  worse,  took  place,  to  have  him  waked  immediately. 
He  was  surprised,  therefore,  when  a  servant  called  him,  to  find  it  was 
to  prepare  for  breakfast,  instead  of  being  an  urgent  summons  to  the 
sick  room.  On  entering  Mrs.  T's  room  he  gave  her  a  careful  exami- 
nation, and  looking  at  Mr^  Thompson  with  a  grateful  smile  upon  his 
face,  said,  "  Decidedly  better." 

"Thank  God!"  said  Mr.  Thompson,  as  the  tears  involuntarily 
filled  up  his  eyes  to  the  brim. 

At  the  breakfast  table,  visible  signs  of  the  reappearance  of  the 
day  of  joy  were  seen  in  every  face,  and  heard  in  every  word.  The 
night  was  far  spent,  and  the  rising  rays  were  seen  to  gild  the  hori- 
zon. The  cloud  was  being  dispersed,  and  the  light  struggling 
through  its  hitherto  dark  bosom. 

The  reader  may  feel  relieved  to  know  that  Mrs.  Thompson  began 
to  improve,  and  continued  steadily  to  grow  better  and  strengthen 
daily,  till  she  was,  in  two  weeks  time,  able  to  join  the  family  again 
in  the  parlor — whither  we  will  soon  conduct  you  to  hear  more  of 
Bible  slavery. 

t 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Slavrri/  denionslraled  in  the  New  Testament — Obedience  to  Masters 
as  taught  of  God — An  endorsement  of  the  rectitude  of  Slavery — 
Insipired  picture  of  modern  Abolitionists — Secession  a  positive 
command. 

Mrs.  Thompson  made  her  first  appearance  at  the  tea  table,  which 
added  greatly  to  the  pleasure  and  hippiness  of  all  present.  Mr. 
Mortimer  had  been  invited  to  tea.  His  sparkling  wit,  the  repartee 
of  Nellie,  the  puns  of  Dr.  Pratt,  and  the  presence  of  Mrs.  Thomp- 
son, gave  a  joyous  zest  to  the  tea  party,  that  made  all  forget  the 
sorrows  of  the  past,  only  to  be  grateful  for  their  removal.  The 
cloud  had  entirely  disappeared,  and  the  sunlight  of  joyous  pleasure 
again  filled  every  heart. 

A  fervent  prayer  of  thanksgiving  was  offered  up  by  Dr.  Pratt, 
when  all  adjourned  to  the  parlor.  * 

•'  To  your  Greek  Testament  again,  Mr.  Mortimer,"  said  Mr. 
Thompson,  who  held  a  Bible  in  his  hand. 


142  NKLLIK    \n)nc>V 

"  I  liavc  resigned  tliat  lioiior  in  i.ivor  oi  cur  citric:!!  I'riond,"  said 
Mr.  Mortimer,  rising  and  liaoding  the  (Jreek  Festanicnt  from  the 
table  to  Dr.  I'ratt. 

"Then,"  said  Mr.  T.,  ••l>(K-t(»r  will  vuu  turn  to  Kplic-^iatis.  vi  : 
5-8.  '  Servants  bo  obedient  to  them  that  arc  ynur  masters  according 
to  the  flesh,  with  fear  aud  trembling,  in  singleness  of  jour  hearts,  as 
unto  Christ ;  not  ^ith  eye  service,  as  nien-plea.scrs  ;  but  as  the  ser- 
vants of  Christ,  doing  the  will  of  God  from  the  lieart ;  with  good 
will,  doing  service,  as  to  the  Lord,  and  not  to  men.  Knowing  that 
whatsoever  good  thing  any  man  doeth,  the  same  shall  he  receive  of 
the  Lord,  whether  he  be  bond  or  free.'  Now  the -first  <jue8tion  to 
settle,  is,  were  these  servants  bondmen  or  free,  were  they  slaves  or 
hired  servants.     What  !«  the  ("J rock,  ni.rtor?" 

Donhi^  sir." 

"  Then,  accyrding  to  the  scholarship  of  the  present  and  last 
centuries,  they  were  slaves.  Conybcarc  and  Ilowsnn,  in  their  "  Life 
and  Epistles  of  Paul,"  translate  douloi  in  this  place  '  bondsmen," 
and  in  every  other  place.  I 'believe,  where  Paul  uses  this  word. 
They  give  it  but  one  meaning — I  beUcvc,  Doctor,  you  have  not 
shown  it  to  mean  anything  else." 

"  I  will  grant,"  said  the  Doctor,  "  in  the  language  of  Dr.  Way- 
land,  that  '  the  New  Te.'stauient  contains  no  2»'' ''']'(  prohibitory  of 
slavery.'     Ask  me  for  no  further  admissions." 

•'  This  is  (juite  enough,  Doctor,  I  am  sure,"  said  .^lr.  Thoiiipson. 
"  I  should  certainly  be  hard  to  satisfy,  were  1  to  ask  njorc.  For 
where  do  you  find  a  sin  practised  by  the  people,  in  the  days  of  Christ 
and  the  Apostles,  against  which  they  did  not  utter  a  prohibitory 
precept '/  Not  one,  either  among  the  high  or  low,  rich  or  poor,  Jew 
or  Gentile.  There  was  no  evasion  or  compromise  with  them,  ('hrist 
and  his  Apostles  condemned  all  sin,  but  they  did  not  condemn 
slavery  J  therefore  slavery  is  flo  sin.  But  I  wish  us  to  undersUmd 
the  meaning  of  the  quotation  just  made,  as  Bible  students,  as  seekers 
after  truth. 

"  '  Bondsmen  obey  your  earthly  masters,  with  anxiety  and  seli- 
distrust,  in  singleness  of  your  heart  as  unto  Christ;  not  with 
eye-service,  as  men-pleasers,  but  as  bondsmen  of  Christ  doing  the 
will  of  God  from  the  soul.  With  good  will  fulfilling  your  service  as 
to  the  Ijord  our  Master,  and  not  to  men*'  &c. 

<'  In  this  quotation  wo  have  :  Ist.  Obedience  to  their  masters, 
enjoined  and  required  of  slaves  by  the  authority  of  heaven.  But  if 
slavery  is  wrong,  then  its  obligations  are  usurpations,  and  must  there- 


NELLIE   NORTON.  143 

fore  be  wrong.  Now,  whatever  authority  enforces  obedience  to 
error,  by  requiring  submission  to  its  behests,  partakes  of  that  wrong. 
It,  therefore,  follows,  that  if  slavery  is  wrong,  the  precept  above 
given  to  enforce  obedience  to  it  is  wrong  also.  But  if  there  bo 
wrong  in  the  precept,  then  God  is  the  author  of  that  wrong.  But 
Grod  can  do  no  wrong.  Therefore  this  precept  which  He  gave  is 
right ;  then  it  follows  that  the  obligations  of  slavery  are  right — and 
how  can  this  be  unless  the  institution  is  right  also?  2d.  It  is 
required  that  this  obedience  be  'in  singleness  of  heart,  as  unto 
Cbrist.'  Not  only  is  the  body  to  submit,  but  the  heart  also.  The 
luind  is  to  acquiesce  in  the  moral  and  religious  validity  of  slavery, 
and  the  conscience  of  the  slave  to  be  at  rest  in  its  entire  approval  of 
the  institution  which  holds  him  in  bondage.  He  must  take  his' obli- 
gations and  service  to  Christ  as  the  model  after  which  he  is'  to  pat- 
tern, in  his  service  to  his  master.  Olshausen  says  on  this  thought : 
'  This  working  of  Christianity,  directed  to  the  inmost  state  of  the 
soul,  renders  it  the  power  which  transforms  the  world.  It  makes 
each,  ill  his  place,  what  he  is  intended  to  be  :  the  master  a  true 
master,  the  servant  a  true  servant.  But  further,  not  merely  is  the 
whole  will  of  the  master  to  be  done,  even  in  secret,  where  no  eye 
observes  the  performance,  but  it  is  to  be  done  from  the  heart  also ; 
i,  e.,  with  willingness  and  joyfulness.  The  will  of  the  earthly 
master  is  here  conceived  exactly  as  the  will  of  God,  because 
the  relation  of  dependence  comes  from  God,  and-  thus  also 
its  individual  manifestations.  Finally,  here  too  again  it  is  self-evi- 
dent, that  this  obedience  to  the  earthly  master  does  not  extend  to 
that  which  is  forbidden  by  God  j  he  that  serves  his  master  as  if  he 
served  God,  will  never  fall  into  the  temptation  to  sacrifice  God's  will 
to  his  master's.'  This  able  German  commentator  makes  fidelity  to 
earthly  masters  a  means  of  promoting  piety  to  God.  3d.  Here  is  a 
most  emphatic  endorsement  of  slavery:  'Be  obedient  unto  your 
masters.  *  *  *  Doing  the  will  of  (rod  from  the  heart,  with 
good  will  doing  service  as  unto  the  Lord.'  Here  is  the  exprtssed 
will  of  God,  that  slaves  should  be  obedient  to  their  masters.  Obey, 
do  not  rebel,  do  not  run  away,  do  not  idle  away  your  time.  Obey, 
do  not  stop  to  question  whether  your  master  has  a  right  to  your 
service;  whether  his  commands  are  just  and  proper;  whether 
heaven  has  given  him  the  power  to  order  you  against  your  will,  or 
without  consulting  your  wishes.  Not  a  sparrow  falleth  to  the  ground 
without  your  heavenly  Father,  much  less  could  you  have  been 
brought  into  bondage  without  Him.     He  has  done  it  because  it  was 


144  NELLIE   NORTON. 

right,  because  it  was  best  for  you;  therefore  obey.  Do  them  service 
with  the  same  cheerfulness,  with  the  same  Gdelity  you  would  to  the 
Lord,  'ax  unto  ihr  Lord.'  '  Doing  the  will  of  God  from  the  heart.' 
His  will  in  what  respect?  What  is  He  sjMjakinfi;  about?  Why  of 
the  obedience  of  slaves  to  their  ma.stern.  How,  then,  is  His  will  to 
be  (lone  ?  By  obeying  their  masters — by  obeying  them  '  from  the 
heart' — a  conscientious  obedience,  a  cheerful,  ready,  willing  obedi- 
ence; this  is  the  way  in  which  they  are  divinely  directed  to  do  the 
will  of  Ciod.  Then  disobedience  to  masters  is  disobedience  to  God  ; 
and  rebellion  against  mai^ters,  is  rebellion  against  God;  to  escape 
from  their  masters  is  to  flee  from  a   Divinely  appointed   authority. 

*  Hagar,  return  t)  Sarah,  thy  mistress,  and  submit  tliy.'^clf  unto  her.* 
Paul  sent  Onesimus  back  to  his  master,  Now,  then,  if  obedience  to 
masters  is  doing  the  will  of  God,  if  disobedience  to  them  is  rebellion 
against  God,  is  not  this  a  full,  explicit,  and  un(juulified  endorsement 
of  slavery  by  the  Supreme  moral  authority  of  the  universe  ?  None 
certainly  can  question  this  who  believe  the  Bible.     When  God  says  : 

*  Children  obey  your  parents  in  the  Lord,  for  this  is  right,'  does  he 
not  thereby  sanction  the  right  of  a  parent  to  control  the  child  '! 
Does  ho  not  endorse  the  relation  as  right  ?  Who  would  deny  this  ? 
And  yet  it  rests  on  the  same  basis  as  the  other ;  only  that  liigher  and 
holier  obligations  are  imposed  on  the  slave,  and  stronger  and  more 
oft-repeated  reasons  are  given  why  he  should  obey.  But  the  authori- 
ty for  both  is  the  same.  Do  not  'be  obedient, '  and  '  obey, '  mean 
the  same  thing,  whether  given  to  the  slave  or  to  the  child?" 

"But,  Mr.  Thompson,"  said  the  Doctor,  "the  iScriptures  say 
'children  obey  your  parents  in  the  Lord,  for  this  is  rijht.'  They  do 
not  say  'servant*  be  obedient  unto  your  masters,  for  this  is  right.' 
The  one  is  endorsed  as  being  ri'jhl,  the  other  is  simply  enforced  with- 
out  a    reason.     Now,   sir,  what  do  you  say  to  that  ?  " 

"  Then,  1  suppose,  you  understand  it  to  be  thus  :  '  Children,  obey 
your  parents,  for  this  is  right,  and  you  servants  be  obedient  to  your 
masters,  for  this  is  wnmy.'  But  you  cannot  make  God  enjoin  a 
wrong  act,  without  making  him  a  party  to  the  wrong;  to  make  him 
a  party  to  the  wrong  certainly  destroys  the  perfections  of  Deity, 
which  it  seems  you  would  do  to  destroy  slavery.  The  same  Apostle, 
in  the  preceding  chapter,  says  :  '  Wives  submit  yourselves  unto  your 
own  husbands  as  unto  the  Iiurd,'  but  he  does  not  add  '  for  this  is 
richt'  Then,  I  suppose,  you  think  he  means  it  is  wrong,  or  that  it 
is  of  such  questionable  propriety,  that  he  will  not  give  it  his  fullest 
endorsement.     He  also  flays :   '  Husbands  love  your  wives,'  but  he 


NELLIE   NORTON.  145 

does  uot  add  even  to  this,  '  for  it  is  right.'  He  says  to  Christians, 
*  Be  ye  followers  of  God,  as  dear  children.'  But  here,  also,  he  fails 
to  give  the  reason.  Et  is  always  presumed,  and  universally  admitted 
by  all  but  infidels,  tliat  wlien  Deity  commands  an  act  to  he  done,  the 
performance  of  that  act  is  right,  without  any  express  language  to 
that  effect.  Obedience  to  the  commandment  just  as  it  is  given,  is  tha 
highest  obligation  known  to  man  ;  because  it  proceeds  from  the 
highest  authority.  If  God  was  hold  to  give  a  reason,  then  the  Bible 
would  abound  i.s  much  in  reasons  as  it  does  in  precepts. 

*  N<^t  Gabriel  asks  ihe  reason  wliy, 
Nor  God  the  reason  gives.' 

"  '  Evtn  SO,  Father,  for  it  secuieth  good  in  thy  eight.' 

"  When  it  pleases  him  God  gives  a  reason  j  as  in  our  passage  on 
slavery,  the  reason  given  is,  that  in  olieying  the  master,  the  servant 
honors  Christ.  i\Iatthew  Henry  says  :  '  When  servants,  in  the 
•discharge  of  the  duty  of  their  places,  have  an  eye  to  Christ,  this 
puts  an  honor  upon  their  obedience,  and  acceptableness  into  it. 
Service  done  to  their  earthly  masters  with  au  eye  to  Him,  becomes 
acceptable  service  to  him  aho.' 

"  Now,  sir,  it  is  apparent  that  slavery  is  from  Heaven,  and  that 
every  obligation  of  religion  is  but  an  additional  fetter  to  bind  the 
alave  to  his  bondage,  and  that  he  cannot  sunder  bonds  which  bind 
him  to  his  earthly  master,  without  breaking  those  which  unite  him 
morally  to  his  Redeemer.     Doctor,  will  you  now  turn  to " 

"  Stop,  sir ;  you  run  too  fast  to  look  up  all  the  truth.  You  take 
such  as  you  like,  and  leave  the  rest  unnoticed.  Let  us  see  what  the 
Apostle  says  to  masters,  before  you  leave  this  book.  '  And  ye 
ma.sters,  do  the  name  thiiujx  unto  them,  forbearing  threatening  : 
knowing  that  jour  master  also  is  in  Heaven;  neither  is  there  respect 
of  persons  with  him.'  Now,  sir,  here  is  a  divine  injunction  requir- 
ing obedience  of  you  to  your  servants."  • 

"  Where  do  you  find  obedience  in  this  passage  ?  "  said  Mr.  T. 

"  In  the  words,  '  do  the  same  things'  ;  i.  e.,  do  the  same  things  to 
them,  which  are  required  of  them  in  the  above  Scripture,  to  do  for 
you.     Do  you  not  see  it?  "  replied  the  Doctor. 

"  Not  at  all,"  said  Mr.  T.,  "  nor  anything  like  it.  Olshausen  says 
on  this  verse:  '  Paul  makes  a  transition  from  slaves  to  masters,  and 
exhorts  the  latter,  not  as  one  might  suppose  (Mr.  0.  we  may  bo  sure 
was  an  Abolitionist,)  to  make  their  slaves  free,  that  is  left  to  the  free 
motion  of  the  Divine  8pirit;  but  only  on  their  part  to  exercise  mild- 
ness tou-ards  them,  in  the  consciousness  that  they,  too,  like  tho 
S 


140  NELLIE   NORTON. 

former,  have  a  master  in  heaven,  with  wliom  porponal  considerations 
are  of  no  avail.'  The  motive  which  was  to  constrain  the  slave  in 
obeying  his  master,  was,  that  he  might  j. lease  the  lUvine  being;  the 
same  motive  was  to  influence  the  ma.ster  in  the  exercise  of  a  mild 
temper  and  kind  treatment  towards  the  hlave.  By  way  of  enforcing 
this  precept,  Paul  mentions  the  fact,  which  should  be  remembered 
by  every  master  and  slave,  that  buth  have  ono  common  Master  in 
Heaven,  who  will  hold  each  respun'^ible  for  every  violation  of  the 
injunctions  given  to  them. 

"  Now,  sir,  if  you  have  nothing  more  to  say  on  this  subject,  be 
kind  enough  to  turn  to  Colossians  iii  :  22-24,  which  is  the  next 
Scripture  on  slavery.  Please  tell  us  the  Greek  word  used  tiiere  lur 
servants." 

"  JJouloi,  sir,  as  a  matter  of  course,"  said  the  Doctor. 

"  Bondsmen  or  slaves,  then.  •  Slaves,  obey  in  all  things  your 
masters  according  to  the  flesh  ;  not  with  eye-service  as  men-plea.ser3; 
but  in  singleness  of  your  heart,  fearing  God  j  and  whatsoever  ye  do, 
do  it  heartily  as  to  the  Lord,  and  not  unto  men,  knowing  that  of  the 
Lord  ye  shall  receive  the  reward  of  the  inheritance,  for  ye  serve  the 
Lord  Christ.'  Hero  we  have  much  the  same  injunctions  enforced  as 
in  the  preceding  verses  j  only  these  unite  the  obdieuce  of  the  slave, 
with  thp  Divine  favor,  more  intimately  and  forcibly  than  in  the 
other.  Here  the  slave  is  taught,  Ist.  That  in  his  obedience  to  his 
master,  he  'serves  the  Lord  Christ.'  His  fidelity  to  his  master  is  an 
acceptable  service  to  God.  Why  'f  Because  God  commands  the 
obedience,  and  its  performance  to  the  master,  is  its  performance  to 
God  also.  Disobedience  to  the  master  would,  then,  be  rebellion 
against  God.  2d.  That  the  reward  of  the  slave  for  his  fidelity  to  his 
master,  will  be  given  by  the  Lord  hiinsclf,  knowing  that  of  the  Jjord 
ye  shall  receive  the  reward.'  How  strong  an  avowal  of  the  Divine 
approval  of  slavery  is  hoie  expressed.  As  if  He  were  to  say,  '  go 
work  for  your  ma.ster;  I  am  the  author,  the  originator  of  this  insti- 
tution. 1  have  brought  you  into  servitude,  I  perpetuate  the  yoke  of 
bondage,  it  is  all  of  me  ;  I  am  responsible  for  it.  You  slaves  obey 
your  masters  according  to  the  flesh,  and  I,  the  Lord,  will  reward 
you.'  " 

"  You  do  not  mean  to  .say,  that  the  reward  spoken  of  there  is 
simply  for  obedience  to  the  master,  and  not  for  general  Christian 
fidelity !"'  said  the  Doctor. 

"  I  mean  it  is  the  reward  of  grace.  And  grace  produces  general 
Christian  fidelity,  one  of  the  obligations  of  which  is  obedience  to  the 


NELLIE  NoRTONi  147 

toaatei'.  Tliis  obedience  is  one  of  such  great  itnportauce  in  the 
Christian  system,  that  the  Apostle  found  it  necessary  to  place  it  by 
itself,  that  it  might  be  the  more  obvious,  and  attract  the  more  atten- 
tion. I  might,  were  I  such  a  stickler  as  you  Abolitionists  are,  deny 
that  any  other  duty  is  referred  to,  but  as  a  conscientions  man,  having 
all  the  truth  on  my  side,  I  can  afford  to  be  liberal,  and  certainly 
always  truthful.  This,  though,  I  would  be,  were  it  to  sacrifice^my 
cause  " 

"  I  hpped,"  said  the  Doctor,  "you  would  have  proceeded  to  quote 
the  first  verse  of  the  fourth  chapter,  and  save  me  that  trouble.  I 
did  not  know  but  your  liberality  would  induce  you  to  advocate  both 
sides  of  the  question." 

"It  would  afford  me  great  pleasure  to  accommodate  you  in  doing 
so,  sir,  if  the  question  had  two  sides.  But  after  several  days  close 
application,  investigation  and  discussion,  you  have  failed  to  show 
yourself  to  be  in  possession  of  a  side  of  the  question,  though  you 
have  proved  yourself  a  student,  and  an  adroit  tactician  iii  polemics. 
Indeed,  you  have  admitted  you  have  no  argument  to  offer  in  the  New 
Testament;  by  saying  with  Dr.  Wayland,  that  there  is  no  precept 
against  it." 

"  I  do  not  mean  by  that  admission,  sir,  as  you  very  well  under- 
stand, that  there  is  nothing  in  the  New  Testament  against  slavery," 
said  the  Doctor,  rather  impatiently,  "  and  lest  1  be  further  misunder- 
stood, I  take  back  that  admission,  which  I  ought  r^ver  to  have 
made,  and  beg  leave  to  differ  from  Dr.  Wayland  in  this  respect.  But 
1  will  not  suffer  myself  diverted  from  quoting  the  verse  to  which  I 
referred,  Col.  iv  :  1.  '  Masters  give  unto  your  servants  that  which 
is  just  and  c(iual,  knowing  that  ye  also  have  a  master  in  heaven.' 

"  Now,  sir,  I  maintain  that  here  is  a  precept  against  slavery.  If 
this  text  is  obeyed,  slavery  must  be  abolished.  Then  if  ray  construc- 
tion is  right,  not  only  the  principles,  but  the  precepts  also,  of  the 
New  Testament  are  opposed  to  slavery.  '  Give  to  your  servants  that 
which  '\s  JHut  and  iqual.'  Do  justly  by  your  slaves,  and  they  will 
have  freedom  ;  do  that  which  is  eqnaf,  and  you  are  obliged  to  place 
them  upon  an  equality  with  yourself  Then  this  quotation  destroys 
your  foundation,  and  slavery  is  gone." 

'•  Your  exposition  is   wonderful,  indeed,"  said  Mr.  T.     "  Whose 

commentary  do  you  study  at  home  ?     Has  Beecher  ever  published 

one  ?     They  all  lean  to  the  side  of  Abolitionism.     But  seriously  lam 

surprised  that  you  should  give,  as  an  honest  opinioO,  the  vic^fs  you 

hav«  just  presented.     Let  us  again  consult  Olshausen,  the  German 


1 


148  NELr.TK    X(^RTO:<. 

Abolitioni.st,  and  see  if  he  concurs  vsitli  your  view:  'Here  the 
lU/cai'nn,  which  is  translated  just,  refcre  to  what  the  slaves  aro  justi- 
fied in  requiring,  c?o//h'h^,  food,  &c.,  but  of  course  uotes,  which  is 
translated  equal,  cannot  mean  equality  with  their  masters  ;  that  would 
be  abolishinjj;  slavery,  which  is  against  Paul's  intention.  The 
expression  rather  denotes  the  equal  treatment  of  all,  which  exclude:* 
the  preference  of  one  at  the  expense  of  another.'  The  '^ha-^  ' 
refers  to  the  master's  obligation  to  furnish  the  slave  with  what  he,  in 
bis  condition  as  such,  needs;  and  the  word  '■  cquaV  forbids  that 
partiality  which  would  discriminate  in  favor  of  one  and  to  the  injury 
of  another.  Now,  sir,  if  there  had  been  any  abolitionism  in  your 
text,  this  learned  German  would  have  found  it.  But  he  says  this  was 
contrary  to  Paul's  intention.  His  views  correspond  with  the  early 
Christians.  Bunsen.  in  his  picture  of  the  Church  as  it  existed  in 
the  days  of  Commodus  and  Severus — the  third  century,  drawn  from 
the  writings  of  Hippolitus,  says:  'Almost  all  the  questions  of  the 
day  came  under  discussion,  atid  eminently  among  them,  the  impor- 
tant one  of  slavery.  The  resolution  at  which  the  Church  arrived  on 
this  point,  bears  the  impress  of  high  moral  faith  and  courage,  as 
well  as  of  Christian  wisdom.  A  slave  even  oi  a  heathen  was  not 
admitted  unless  he  promised  to  deserve  his  master's  good  will  by 
honest  behavior,  and  to  abandon  every  practice  which  was  incom- 
patible with  his  Christian  vow  and  confession  of  i'aith  in  the  proflered 
salvation.  1!e  was  taught  that  it  became  a  Christian  to  fulfill  all 
righteousncHS.' 

"  Now  obedience  to  ma.sters  was  justly  considered  by  the  ancient 
Christians  as  a  part  of  'all  righteousness,'  because  it  was  commanded 
by  the  liighteous  Judge  ;  therefore  they  required  a  special  pledge  or 
vow  to  that  efFect.  But  you  Abolitionists  would  require  no  such 
promises;  indeed,  you  would  pledge  him  ta  a  contrary  course.  You 
would  inform  him  that  religion  enjoins  no  obligations  of  obedience 
to  masters;  that  when  the  inspired  word  says  'be  obedient  unto  them 
that  are  your  masters,  accofding  to  the  flesh,'  it  means  that  the 
master  ought  to  set  iiim  free,  and  in  the  event  he  does  not,  the  slave 
is  at  liberty  to  run  away,  or  do  anything  else  that  would  break  the 
yoke  of  servitude.  Aye  !  you  would  put  the  torch  in  one  hand  and 
the  sword  in  the  othec,  as  John  Brown,  the  '  3Iartyr'(?)  did,  and 
tell  them  to  burn  and  butcher  their  masters  and  their  families.  Does 
not^this  presei^t  a  singular  contrast  between  the  spirit  of  Abolition 
Christians  (?)  and  primitive  disciples  ?  But  this  is  attributable  to 
the  moral  advancement  (?)  of  the  age.     It  is  hardly  to  be  expected 


KELLIE   NOKTON.  149 

that  those  under  the  instruction  of  the  fishermen  of  Galilee,  aud  the 
pupil  of  Gamaliel,  would  be  so  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  spirit  of 
the  gospel  as  the  descendants  of  the  Puritans,  now  taught  by  Chan- 
uing,  Beecher,  Parker,  and  AVayland.  Thos^r  could  enjoin  the  obli- 
gations of  slavery  ;  but  these  know  better.  Those  thought  the  insti- 
tution was  from  God  ;  but  these  have  found  out  it  comes  from 
Satan.  TViose, said  'servants  be  obedient  to  your  masters,  according 
to  the  flesh ' ;  these  say,  masters  liberate  your  slaves,  you  have  no 
right  to  the  service  enjoined  by  the  Apostles.  According  to  the 
gospel  of  Christ,  slavery  was  right ;  according  to  the  gcspel  of  the 
Puritans,  it  is  wrong  The  Holy  Spirit  said  servants  obey  your 
masters;  the  holy  (?)  Puritans  say,  'its  bonds  ishall  be  broken,  and 
they  shall  not  obey.'  " 

"  A  thought  has  just  occurred  to  me,"  said  the  Doctor,  "  for  which 
1  acknowledge  my  indebtedness  to  Dr  Wayland.  T  think  you  will 
find  it  a  'hard  nut  to  crack.'  Do  you  believe  in  the  slave  trade? — 
is  it  right?  If  not,  then  to  enslave  Africans  is  not  right;  and  if  it 
be  wrong  to  endave  them,  then  it  is  wrong  to  perpetuate  their  servi- 
tude ;  or  if  not,  then  can  an  act,  having  its  inception  in  error,  be  made 
right  by  perpetuating  it  ?  Can  a  wrong  act  become  right  by  con- 
tinuing in  it?  If  slavery  was  wrong  at  first,  does  its  perpetuity  for 
one  hundred  and  fifty  years  make  it  right?" 

"  1  thought,  said  Mr.  T.,  "  your  'hard  nut'  would  not  come  from 
Paul,  or  Peter,  or  Christ,  or  from  any  ancient  Christian,  but  from 
some  of  our  modern  self-appointed  instructors  in  morals  and  Christi 
anity.  But  as  I  have  allowed  you  great  latitude  heretofore,  it  would 
seem  a  hardship  to  curtail  your  privileges  now  ;  so  I  will  proceed  to 
answer  your  questions,  or,  in  your  own  classical  language,  to  'crack 
your  hard  nut.'  You  ask  me  if  I  believe  in  the  slave  trade?  I  am 
subject  to  the  powers  that  be.  My  couutry  has  decreed  against  it, 
and  I  acquiesce  cheerfully  in  the  decision.  Were  it  not  for  two 
reasons,  superadded  to  the  one  above  mentioned,  I  would  be  in  favor 
of  the  slave  trade.  Th-ise  are  my  two  reasons  for  opposing  it :  1st. 
We  have  negroes  enough  in  the  South.  A  greater  number,  with 
the  present  ratio'  of  increase,  would  soon  become  burdensome. 
2d.  The  inhumanity  generally  practiced  in  obtaining  them  on  the 
coast  of  Africa,  and  bringing  them  over  to  this  country.  The  slave 
trade  has  produced  the  most  cruel  and  desolating  wars,  and  these 
wars  h«ve  devastated  many  fertile  portions  of  interior  Africa,  and 
depopulated  many  large  cities.  1  cannot  favor  anything  which  is 
accompanied  by  such  disastrous  results.     I  am  not  opposed,  how- 


160  NKLLIE   NOHTON. 

ever,  to  enslaving  Africans,  or  rather  transferring  these  slaves  from 
African  to  American  masters,  for  this  is  all  that  i«  generally  done. 
They  were  slaves  before  ;  they  only  cxchan^^'c  an  idolatrou^-,  barbarous 
master,  who  has  power  to  kill  them  when  he  pleases,  for  a  civilized 
and  generally  Christian  master,  who  will  feed  and  clothe  them  well, 
treat  them  humanely,  and  afford  them  an  opportunity  to  hear  and 
receive  the  gospel.  The  exchange  for  them  is  so  happy,  that  the 
slave  here  is  soon  elevated  immeasurably  above  what  his  African 
master  was.  I  cannot,  therefore,  object  to  an  institution  whose 
results  arc  so  good.  The  type  of  slavery  here  is  much  more  mild, 
humane  and  just  than  in  Africa.  But,  then,  if  the  slave  trade  is 
wrong,  as  1  have  admitted,  you  a^k  if  the  slaves  brought  over  by  it 
are  not  held  in  unlawful  bondage?  1  auswcr  A'w,  for  the  following 
reasons,  at  which  I  have  already  hinted :  1st.  The  slave  trade  did 
not  rrihii'e  them  to  bondage.  They  were  in  a  bondage,  not  of  their 
own  chosing,  before.  They  were  made  slaves  by  the  decree  of 
heaven,  and  the  providence  of  God  brought  about  the  execution  of 
that  decree.  I  have  already  st;ited,  that,  according  to  the  calcula- 
tions of  the  most  intelligent  travelers,  three- fourths  of  the  African 
people  are  in  slavery  to  the  other  one-fourth.  Then,  if  the  slave 
trade  has  transferred  men  and  women  from  a  cruel  and  inhuman 
master  to  a  civilized,  Christian  and  humane  one,  it  has  done  them  no 
wrong,  but  a  great  favor.  If  man  devised  it  in  his  cupidity,  '  God 
meant  it  for  good.'  If  the  Yankee  Congre.>«suien  did  refuse  to  lot  the 
iSouthern  representatives  repeal  the  slave  trade  laws,  becau.sc  Yankee 
vessels  were  growing  rich  by  it.  Divine  providence  overruled  their 
selfishness,  for  the  moral  and  temporal  welfare  of  the  Africans 
brought  over.  2d.  As  the  condition  of  the  descendants  of  Hum  is 
one  of  slavery  under  the  Divine  decree,  it  is  right  for  those  holding 
them  in  bondage  to  soften  the  rigors  of  this  vas.«ialage  as  much  as 
their  condition  will  admit.  Indeed,  is  it  not  the  part  of  philan- 
thropy to  do  so,  and  especially  of  ('hristian  philanthropy  ?  If  T,  a 
slave-holder,  have  a  neighbor  who  treats  his  slaves  cruelly,  it  is  a 
debt  I  owe  to  humanity  to  endeavor  to  correct  the  evils  in  that 
master's  treatment;  and  if  I  fail,  I  may  endeavor  to  have  the  owner- 
ship of  those  slaves  transferred,  in  u  lawful  manner,  to  a  better 
maater.  Now,  if  the  Africans  would  sell  their  own  slaves  to  us,  and 
not  make  war  upon  on«  another  to  secure  a  greater  number,  it  would 
be  our  duty  to  carry  on  the  slave  trade,  for  the  benefit  of  the 
enslaved.  It  would  be  right  to  transfer  the  ownership  to  a  people 
who  would  appreciate  the  responsibilities  resting  upon  masters,  and 


'NELLIE   NORTON.  151 

who  would  understand  and  sympathise  with  the  condition  and  wants 
of  the  slaves.  The  wrongs  then  which  have  been  connected  with 
the  slave  trade  did  not  belong  to  it,  any  further  than  the  temptation 
it  held  out  to  the  cupidity  of  the  b'arbarous  tribes  of  Africa.  It 
purchased  the  slaves  at  a  price  agreed  upon  by  the  master,  and  then 
transferred  them  to  American  owners  at  a  price  agreed  upon. 
Whether  the  master  in  Africa  came  into  the  possession  of  his  slaves 
lawfully  or  not,  may  be  as  difficult  a  question  to  settle,  as  whether 
Jacob  obtained  his  birthright  justly.  One  thing  we  know  :  both 
were  in  accordance  with  tbc  Divine  purpose,  and  both  were  brought 
about  by  the  Divine  providence.  The  Hebrews,  on  the  eve  of  their 
departure  from  Egypt,  borrowed  jewels  from  their  neighbors  ;  the 
Jews  drove  out  and  reduced  to  vassalage  by  foiye  the  inhabitants  of 
the  land  of  Canaan.  How  can  these  things  be  justified  ?  Both 
acts  were  done  in  obedience  to  the  Divine  will,  and  were,  therefore, 
right.  Long  before  these  acts  were  committed,  God  had  said  • 
'  Canaan  shall  be  a  servant  of  servants  to  Shera  and  Japheth.'  Who 
should  begin  to  bring  them  under  this  bondage,  when  or  how,  was 
not  revealed.  It  was  left  for  Divine  prcAidence  to  develop  these. 
It  began  with  the  Jews  in  Joshua's  time,  if  not  in  Abraham's  day, 
and  continued  till  their  dispersion,  as  a  punishment  for  the  rejection 
of  the  Messiah.  The  door  ha.s  again  been  opened  by  the  same 
Divine  hand — and  who  shall  say  that  hand  erred  in  so  doing?  As 
well  might  Jacob  have  said  providence  erred  in  sending  Joseph  into 
Egypt,  or  Jesse  to  have  complained  against  the  Almighty  because 
David  was  persecuted  by  Saul.  '  My  ways  are  not  as  your  ways ; 
neither  are  ray  thoughts  as  your  thoughts  saith  tb^  Lcrd,  for  as  the 
heavens  are  higher  than  the  earth,  so  are  my  ways  higher  than  your 
ways  and  my  thoughts  than  your  thoughts.' 

"  It  would  be  fortunate  for  the  Africans  if  they  all  had  Southern 
masters.  Their  condition  would  be  much  better  in  every  respect. 
They  would  be  treated  better,  physically:  better  clothed,  better  fed, 
better  cared  for.  Their  minds  would  be  better  developed,  and  their 
moral  condition  unspeakably  better." 

"  But  you  have  not  got  to  the  kernel  of  my  nut  yet,"  said  the 
Doctor.  "  If  slavery  is  wrong  in  the  United  States,  it  is  wrong  in 
Africa.  Though  the  African  masters  may  have  held  their  slaves  for 
twenty  centuries,  does  that  make  it  right?  The  first  master  reduced 
the  first  slave  from  freedom  to  servitude  ;  he  therefore  did  wrong,  for 
no  man  haa  a  right  to  reduce  another  to  slavery.     Now,  the  question 


152  NELLIE   KORTON.  • 

is:  Does  tlie  long  continuance  of  slavery  justify  the  act?  does  it 
remove  the  wrong  ?  does  it  make  a  wron^  ri^ht  V 

"  iVell,  sir,  I  understand  you,"  said  Mr.  T.  "You  have  made  a 
man  of  straw,  and  desire  me  to  fight  him.  You  have  supposed  a 
ease  which  does  not  exist,  and  as.serted  a  fact,  as  you  have  many 
times  before,  which  you  cannot  prove.  You  have  asserted  that  the 
first  master  reduced  a  freeman  to  servitude.  But  I  have  proved,  by 
Divine  authority,  that  God  reduced  one-third  of  tlie  descendants  of 
Noah  to  slavery  by  his  own  decree.  It  was  not  man  that  made  the 
decree,  it  was  the  Creator.  It  was  not  man  that  reduced  the  free- 
mtin  and  made  the  first  slave,  it  was  the  Almighty — the  glorious 
Maker  and  Supreme  Kuler  of  the  Universe.-  Wv-ro  Canaan's  des- 
cendants ever  free  /ifter  God  said  they  should  be  servants  / — had 
they  any  rights  to  freedom  after  he  took  them  away '/  If  slavery 
had  its  origin  in  error,  then  your  complaint  must  ba  laid  against 
your  Miker,  not  against  us.  I  refer  you  to  Ilim.  Head  the  9th 
chapter  of  Genesis  again,  for  I  find  your  memory  is  very  treacherous. 
Now,  then,  sir,  your  nut  is  cracked,  and,  like  everything  else  you 
have  borrowed  from  Dr.  Wayland,  is  found  to  contain  nothing.  The 
sophistry  of  Dr.  Wayland  is  well  adapted  to  bolster  up  a  cause  the 
strength  of  which  is  water,  and  the  foundation  thereof  sand.  He 
has  no  truth  on  this  subject  which  he  can  produce,  he  therefore 
approximates  as  near  the  semblance  of  it  as  possible ;  he  has  no 
logic,  he  therefore  substitutes  sophistry,  which  answers  his  purpose 
just  -dn  well  with  the  Northern  mind." 

"  1  am  very  glad  he  mentioned  it,  uncle,"  said  Nellie,  *'  for  I  am 
sure  if  an  Abolitionist  iiad  offered  that  as  an  argument  against 
alavery  to  me,  I  could  not  have  replied  to  it.  It  really  seems  that 
you  have  the  Bible  on  your  side  sufficiently  to  refute  every  argument 
upon  which  the  Abolitionists  rely.  I  wish  Dr.  Wayland  or  Senator 
Sumner  was  here,  or  some  other  one  of  the  more  public  men  of  dis- 
tinction at  the  North  ;  not  that  Dr.  Pratt  is  not  as  well  posted  as  any 
of  them,  but  they  are  more  accustomed  to  discussions  on  this  subject, 
and  mi(jht  think  of  some  argument  that  will  escape  him.  1  am 
exceedingly  anxious  to  have  the  whole  argument  exhausted,  the 
subject  thoroughly  analyzed.  I  leel  confident  my  good  uncle  is  able 
to  meet  the  whole  sandbedrim  of  Abolitionists." 

*'  Dr.,  Pratt  has  prepared  and  preached  many  sermons  on  the 
subject  at  home,  where  he  had  all  the  Abolition  authorities  and 
speeches  before  him;  he  has  not  forgotten  the  arguments  which 
fired  his  auditory  with  indignation  against  slave-holders.     Here  he 


NELLIE   NORTON.  153 

has  Dr.  Wayland'a  discussion  with  Dr.  Fuller,  and  I  see  lie  is  familiar 
with  the  writings  of  Sumner  and  Channing,  and  I  presume  he  has 
read  everything  on  that  subject  which  has  been  given  to  the  public — 
and,  saving  his  presence,  he  is  better  posted  than  any  Northern  man 
with  whom  I  have  met.  So  you  have  no  occasion  to  fear,  my  Nellie, 
but  what  all  the  strong  Abolition  arguments — if  there  are  any  such — 
will  be  presented.  The  Doctor  shall  have  a  fair  chance,  and  as 
much  time  as  he  wants. 

"  If  you  have  no  further  remarks.  Doctor,  will  you  be  kind  enough 
to  turn  to  1  Timothy  vi  :  1-5,  and  give  us  the  Greek  of  the  word 
translated  iBcrvants." 

"  Douioi,  sir,"  remarked  the  Doctor,  curtly. 
"  'Let  as  many  slaves  as  are  under  the  yoke,  count  their  own 
masters  worthy  of  all  honor,  that  the  name  of  God  and  his  doctrine 
be  not  blasphemed  :  and  they  that  have  believing  masters,  let  them 
not  despise  them,  because  they  are  brethren  ;  but  rather  do  them 
service,  because  they  are  faithful  and  beloved,  partakers  of  the 
benefit.  These  things  teach  and  exhort.  If  any  man  teach  other- 
wise, and  coBsent  not  to  wholesome  words,  even  the  words  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  the  doctrine  which  is  according  to  godli- 
ness:  he  is  proud  knowing  nothing,  but  doting  about  questions  and 
strifes  of  words,  whereof  cometh  envy,  strife,  railing,  evil  surmisings, 
perverse  disputings  of  men  of  corrupt  minds  and  destitute  of  the 
truth,  supposing  that  gain  is  godliness ;  from  such  withdraw  thy- 
self.' 

"  The  following  truths,"  said  Mr.  T.,  "  are  deducible  from  the 
above  quotation  :  1st.  That  slaves  are  to  esteem  their  masters  worthy 
of  all  honor.  This  refers  to  .heathen  masters,  as  you  will  discover  by 
a  casual  reading  of  the  passage.  A  Christian  slave  was  not  to  be 
puffed  by  his  conversion,  so  as  to  look  down  with  disrespect  or  even 
indifference  upon  his  idolatrous  master.  He  was  not  to  disregard 
his  commands  because  he  was  without  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  in 
the  way  of  error,  but  he  was  to  esteem  him  worthy  of  all  honor. 
Abolitionists  would  teach  them  to  look  upon  such  a  master  as  a 
merciless  tyrant,  a  reprobate,  a  man-stealer,  a  heartless  and  remorse- 
less oppressor.  But  Paul  says  :  '  Count  them  worthy  of  all  honor.' 
A  heathen,  idolatrous  master,  is  worthy  to  be  honored  by  his  slave. 
What  a  striking  contrast  between  the  advice  of  modern  Abolitionists 
and  primitive  Christians  !  2d.  The  reason  assigned  why  slaves 
should  thus  honor  their  masters,  is,  that  the  name  of  God  and  his 
doctrine  be  not  blasphemed.'  Now  notice  this  reason.  The  'doc- 
T 


154  NELLIK   NORTOX. 

trine '  of  (jod  requires  that  slaves  honor  their  masters.  Doctrine 
means  teaching.  You  remember  it  comes  from  the  latin  doceo  to 
teach.  Then  the  teachings  of  God  are  blasphemed  by  the  disesteem 
of  a  slave  to  his  master.  Doctor,  did  you  ever  teaoh  a  fugitive  slave 
thus  to  blaspheme  ?  However,  I  withdraw  the  (juestion,  it  is  one  of 
too  great  delicacy  to  urge;  but  many  ministers  in  New  England 
have.  'The  name  of  God'  is  also  blasphemed  in  the  same  way. 
'  Name  of  God'  is  generally  understood  to  mean  'authority  of  God.' 
It  may  mean  that  here.  The  heathen  master  hxs  a  theoretical  knowl- 
edge of  the  religion  of  his  slave,  and  knows  it  requires  of  all  its 
disciples  to  live  a  holy,  blameless,  humble,  innocent  life;  but  if  his 
slave  becomes  proud,  disrespectful,  disobedient,  his  master  despises 
his  religion,  to  which  he  attributes  these  results,  and  the  master  and 
slave  are  thereby  both  made  blasphemers — the  latter  by  his  dis- 
obedience, the  former  by  the  example  of  the  latter.  3d.  If  both  the 
master  and  the  slave  are  Christians,  then  Paul  says  :  '  Let  them  (the 
slaves)  not  despise  them  because  they  are  brethren;  but  rather 
(i.  e.,  much  more)  do  them  service,  because  they  are  faithful  and 
beloved,  partakers  of  the  beuetit.'  Here  are  the  two — the  master 
and  the  slave — both  in  bondage  t6  Christ,  both  freed  men  by  the 
blood  of  atonement,  brethren  beloved,  both  partakers  of  the  heavenly 
calling  and  benefit.  But  is  this  a  reagon  why  the  slave  should 
■elevate  himself  to  a  political  and  social  equality  ?  No,  let  them 
viwh  more  do  them  service.  It  is  a  strong  additional  reason  for 
obedience  and  love.  What !  a  master  beloved  by  a  slave  ?  So  says 
Faul,  and  he  calls  him  faithful  also,  conceives  of  him  as  a  lovely 
charac'ter,  one  deserving  the  love  of  others,  wearing  the  ornament  of 
a  Christian  character  unspotted  by  the  world.  You  or  Dr.  Way- 
land  would  have  said,  *  and  they  that  are  bolieving  masters  let  them 
emancipate  their  slaves,  let  them  not  be  guilty  of  the  enormous  sin 
of  slavery,'  so  you  see  a  new  dialect  has  been  introduced  into  the 
Church  since  the  days  of  Paul.  4th.  'These  things  teach  and 
exhort.'  Hero  is  an  inspired  command  to  the  minister  of  the  gospel  to 
instruct  the  slaves  to  obedience  to  every  class  of  masters — to  honor 
their  masters — to  do  willing  service  to  them — to  cherish  affection  ior 
them.  When  the  slaves  are  taught  their  duties  in  these  respects,  the 
minister  must  exhort  them  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  these  obliga- 
tions. But,  Doctor,  you  Abolition  preachers  would  not  obey  this  Divine 
injunction,  would  you  ?  l''ou  have  not ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  you  have 
most  palpably  violated  it,  by  urging  them  to  resistance  of  the 
master's  authority.     When  a  slave  violates  these  precepts  and  flees 


NELLIE  KORtD^".  1^6 

to  you  fbr  protection  and  concealment,  instead  of  lelling  him  aa  the 
angel  did  Ilagar,  '  Return  to  thy  mistress/  or,  as  Paul,  '  Count  your 
master  worthy  of  all  honor,  and  do  him  service,'  you  take  him  by 
the  hand  and  tell  him,  *  You  did  right,  sir ;  I  congratulate  you  on 
your  escape  from  slaveryv'  You  will  hide  him  or  pay  his  way  to 
Canada,  and  if  perchance  the  master  find  him  in  your  borders,  you 
raise  a  mob,  and  protect  him  against  the  rights  of  the  master,  the 
judgment  of  the  law,  the  Constitution  of  the  land,  and  the  mandate 
of  heaven.  How  strangely  the  conduct  of  Abolitionists  appears 
(when  compared  with  their  professions  of  superior  piety,)  with  the 
instructions  of  heaven.  5th.  Here  is  a  vivid,  life-like  description  of 
you  Abolitionists,  as  given  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  through  Paul.  It  is 
a  graphic  picture,  a  living  likeness.  Paul  could  not*  have  made  it 
more  complete  and  perfect  if  he  had  lived  in  the  nineteenth  century, 
and  been  a  regular  auditor  of  your  fanatical  speakers,  and  a  daily 
reader  of  the  Tribune.  Hear  it,  look  at  it,  and  may  God  help  you 
to  understand  and  apply  it.  '  If  any  man  teach  otherwise,  (that  is 
just  what  yoa  and  every  other  Abolitionist  is  doing,)  and  consent  not 
to  wholesome  words,  (this  is  what  you  have  refused  to  do,  you  do 
not  consent  to,  but  oppose  these  wholesome  words  on  slavery)  even 
the  words  of  our  Lord  Jxjsus  Christ,  and  to  the  doctrine  which  is 
occording  to  godliness.  (You  reject  the  words  of  Christ,  you  reject 
the  godly  doctrine,  by  rejecting  the  above  instructions  to  slaves.) 
He  is  proud  (marginal  reading  *  a  fool ')  knowing  nothing,  but  doting 
about  questions  and  strifes  of  words,  whereof  cometh  envy,  strife, 
railing,  evil  surmisings,  perverse  disputings  of  men  of  corrupt  minds, 
and  destitute  of  the  truth,  supposing  that  gain  is  godliness.'  Wilt 
you  bear  with  me  a.  moment,  Dr.  Pratt,  while  I  point  out  a  few  of 
the  well  drawn  features  of  this  picture. 

"  1st.  *  Proud,  knowing  nothing.'  '  He  raves,'  says  Dr.  Doddridge. 
'*■  He  has  a  dreadful  mental  distemper,  and  is  brain  sick.  Bigoted — 
in  Southern  parlance,  has  the  swell-head,  or  as  Job  would  say,  thinks 
he  is  the  man  and  wisdom  will  die  with  him.  To  come  directly  to 
the  point,  he  is  a  fanatic.  He  knows  nothing,  and  yet  his  pride 
induces  him  to  think  he  knows  more  than  any  one  else.  He  looks 
with  contempt  upon  those  who  oppose  his  views,  and  those  who  differ 
from  him  are  considered  stupid  dolts.  He  is  too  wise  in  his  own 
esteem  to  need  further  instruction,  and  is  too  ignorant  to  discover  his 
own  deficiencies.' 

"2d.  'Doting  about  questions.'  Makes  a  hobby  of  one  idea. 
Dotes  with   fondness  upon  it;  views  others  as  fools  who  disagree 


166  ^'ELLIE  NORTOiy. 

yriih  him.  He  is  'silly  and  insane '  about  his  'question.'  TalMng,- 
he  speaks  of  it }  writing,  he  discuspes  it ;  sleeping,  he  dreams  of  it- 
ETer3'thing  else  is  ingigniBcant  compared  to  it.  If  he  is  a  public 
speaker,  it  is  his  theme  ;  if  a  preacher,  it  seasons  his  sermons ;  if  a 
legislator,  he  makes  laws  for  it.  He  endeavor?  to  stir  up  others  tcr 
see  and  think  with  hira.  Now,  was  not  that  a  master  stroke  of 
Paul's  pencil  ?     ]>ut  it  was  guided  by  unerring  wisdom. 

"  3d.  '  Whcxeof   coiueth  envy,  Btrife,   evM   surmisings,  peryerse 
disputings,'  &c.     Here  are  the  ugly  features  of  this  most  striking 
face.     But  if  you  wish  to  !?ce  how  correctly  they  are  drawn,  go  to  the' 
Capitol  when  Congre.'^s  is  in  session.     Go  to  a  religious  convocation 
of   Northern   and   Southern    Christians.     Go   to   the  Metropolitau 
Theatre — go  anywhere  that  the  voice  of  an  Abolitioix  orator  is  heard, 
and  you  will  see  that  this  sketch  was  tsken  by  the  unerring  pencil  of 
Divine  Inspiration,  and  you  cannot   ftiil  to  recognize  the  original. 
You  will  see  the  'envy  and  strife,'  you  will  hear  the  ' evil  surmisings 
and  perverse  duputinys.'     You  will  say,  these  are  those  who  '  consent 
not  to  wholesome  words,  even  the  words  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,' 
for  if  any  man  have  not  the  spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his,  and 
the  '  wisdom  that  is  from  above  is  first  pure,  then  peaceaWe,  gentle, 
easily  to  be  entreated,  full  of  love  and  good  fruits,  without  partiality, 
and  without  hypocrisy.'     But,  alas  I  none  of  these  are  to  be  seen  in 
Abolition  meetings  and  discussions.     I  tell  you,  Dr.  Pratt,  abolition- 
ism in  its  present  form  is  an  ofl'ence  against  God,  the  Bible,  religioir, 
the  peace  of  the  Christian  world,  atrd  against  common  sciree,  and 
the  more  enlightened  experience  of  the  age.     I  would  tremble,  sir^ 
at  being  obnoxious  to  the  charges  here  laid  against  those  who  oppos^ 
the  Divine  teachings  on  the  subject  of  slavery.     Do  you  observe 
here,  that  Paul  calls  this  instruction  oa  slavery^  the  '  words  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ?' — 'that  in  order  to  enforce  the  precept  ho  gives  the 
highest  moral  and  religious  authority  known  to  the  world,  the  King 
of  kings  and  the  Ivord  of  lords?     And  yet  you,  Dr.  Pratt,  and  Dr- 
Wayland,  and  others  who  profess  to  honor  the  authority  of  Christ, 
array  yourselves  in  opposition  to  Him,  who  spake  as  never  man  spake. 
How   can    you   come  in  such  direct  and  violent  conflict  with  the 
authority  of  heaven.     How  dare  you  bo  so  presumptuous,  so  impious  ? 
Why,  sir,  it  is  a  fearful  position.     Christ  commands-— you  give  a 
counter-command.     He  eaaets — you  repeal.     He  speaks  with  divine 
authority — you  stop  your  ears.     He  says  slaves  must  obey  their  mas- 
ters— you  say  they  ought  not.     God  says  they  shall  serve — yoti  say 
they  shall  not.  •  Christ  says  these  things  teach  and  exhort — ^you  say 


KELLifi  noiito:n.  157 

I  t^ill  teach  just  the  opposite.     Well  has  the  Apostle  said,  ^^  From 
such  unthdraic  thyself." 

"  It  is  time  we  had  obeyed  this  divine  injunction,  for  it  is  authori' 
tative,  because  positive.  Already  have  two  christian  denominations 
withdrawn  from  you,  and  they  did  but  obey  this  command  of  the 
Apostle.  Soon  will  follow  a  more  complete,  and  to  the  North,  a  more 
disastrous  separation.  When  the  bonds  of  this  political  Union  shall 
have  been  severed,  and  the  upheaved  state  of  society  and  business 
eonsequent  thereupon,  shall  have  settled  down,  you  will  find  that 
your  Samson  is  shorn  of  his  strength,  your  government  tame,  imbe- 
cile, effete,  or  else  you  will  become  a  military  despotism.  Already  is 
*  Ichabod  *  written  upon  its  temple  of  liberty,  and  the  '  Hope  of 
Sand,'  as  the  Constitution  was  once  called,  has  been  rent  asunder 
by  the  ruthless  hands  of  fanatical  abolitionists,  The  compact  has 
already  been  broken,  and  we  are  released." 

"  You  speak  with  a  great  deal  of  assurance,  Mr.  Thompson,"  said 
the  Doctor,  as  if  he  Was  just  aroused  from  some  profound  reverie, 
"  I  cannot  reply  to  you  now.  I  have  much  to  say — you  seem  to 
have  had  all  your  own  way  this  evening,  and  I  have  •  given  you 
rope.'  I  would  reply  now,  but  Mfs.  Thompson  is  feeble,  and  it ' 
might  not  be  best  for  her  to  sit  up  longer,  so  I  will  not  tax  her 
patience.  As  I  am  anxious  for  all  present  to  hear  what  I  have  to 
say  in  reply,  I  will  defer  my  answer  until  to-morrow  evening." 

The  party  retired  to  their  rooms — Mr.  Mortimer  having  taken 
leave  at  the  conclusion  of  Dr.  P's  remarks.  Mrs.  Norton  was  very 
anxious  to  hear  what  het  pastor  had  to  say  in  reply,  for  her  faith  in 
the  rectitude  of  abolitionism  was  very  much  shaken  ;  -she  began  to 
fear  it  was  a  sin,  and  one  of  such  mignitude  that  she  dare  not  com- 
mit with  indifference.  She  had  previously  felt  very  little  interest  in 
the  discussion,  thinking  there  was  no  veri/  great  sin  in  slavery,  or  her 
brother  would  have  seen  it;  and  that  there  must  be  some  errors 
which  made  its  abolition  right,  else  so  many  wise  and  good  men  at 
the  North  would  not  have  advocated  it,  or  perhaps  it  was  a  (juestion 
not  settled  at  all  in  the  Scriptures,  and  therefore  men  entertain  dif» 
fercnt  views  about  it.  But  she  had  never  been  able  to  see  very 
clearly  either  the  right  or  wrong  about  it.  But  now  that  Jesus  had 
taught  it,  that  the  inspired  limner  had  given  so  graphic  and  appall- 
ing a  description  of  the  opposcrs  of  slavery,  she  felt  if  this 
was  true,  if  her  brother  had  made  no  mistake  in  his  interpreta- 
tion  of  this  Scripture— the  matter  was  no  longer  one  of  indiffer- 
ence— she  must  decide — she,  too,  like  her  daughter,  roust  come  out 


158  NELLIE  KORTON. 

from  among  them  and  separate  herself,  or  she  would  be  n  party  to 
their  wrongs. 

Nellie  was  delighted.  She  felt  grateful  that  she  had  seen  hel* 
error,  and  had  avowed  lier  change  of  sentiment.  Her  uncle's  expla- 
nations were  as  clear  to  her  mind  as  a  sunbeam. 

She  was  astonished  that  her  pastor  should  feel  disposed  to  reply  at 
all.  She  had  never  studied  his  character.  She  knew  not  how 
strongly  pride  of  opinion  and  pride  of  position  sometitnes  influence 
even  chrisiians  against  their  conscientious  convictions.  She  knew 
not  how  difficult  it  would  be  for  Dr.  Pratt  to  say,  "  We  of  the  North 
are  wrong  after  all,  and  you  of  the  South  are  right,  but  I  waft  .igno- 
rant of  this  fact  till  convinced  by  a  Georgia-slaveholder."  Ah  !  it 
Wbs  too  much— the  Doctor  could  make  no  such  admission. 

But  our  readers  must  desire  to  hear  what  Dr.  I*ratt  had  to  say  in 
reply.  Be  patient,  for  time  and  tide  no  more  hasten  than  they 
"  wait"  for  the  accommodation  of  the  inquisitive  and  impatient. 


CIIAl^TKR  Xm. 

Music — Emharraseing  Position — Success — Doctor  J^/ a  It's  Gasco- 
7indc — Mr.  Tliompwn's  Rrjihj — A  Trne  Picture  of  Northern 
Cruelty — Abolition  Preachers  omit  a  part  of  the  Gosj)cl — Cannot 
Preach  it  at  all — Infidelity  of  Abolitionism. 

Mr.  Mortimer  came  over  about  fotir  o'clock,  P.  M.,  in  pursuance 
of  an  invitation  from  Nellie  to  enjoy  a  musical  treat  which  she  had 
prouiised  him.  He  never  failed  to  fill  his  engagenietits  with  her.  for 
they  were  obligations,  the  performance  of  which  was  most  pleasing. 
Her  music  was  in  exquisite  taste — her  voice  soft,  sweet  and  melo- 
dious ;  but  he  imagined  that  in  conversation  she  possessed  greater 
power  to  charm  and  fascinate. 

He  very  soon  proposed  a  promenade  in  the  flower  yard,  though 
long  since  had  the  frosts  of  winter  left  the  shrubbery  entirely  bereft 
of  its  adornments  of  leaf  and  flower.  Yet  one  was  by  his  side  more 
delicate,  more  beautiful  and  lovely  than  any  which  had  bloomed,  as 
he  imagined,  outside  of  Paradise.  Her  words  were  sweeter  music 
to  him  than  the  harp  or  piano,  the  fotest  songster,  the  chiming  of 


NELLIE   NORTON.  159 

sacred  bells,  or  the  chanting  of  holy  songs.  He  was  conscious  of  an 
affinity  between  them,  which,  when  he  was  absent  from  her,  made 
him  long  to  be  in  her  presence  again.  Thougli  he  had  said  much  to 
her  before,  he  had  never  fully  unfolded  his  feelings,  nor  was  he 
certain  that  his  own  deep,  ardent  affection  was  reciprocated.  I^e 
had  no  reason  to  doubt  her  partiality  for  his  society,  but  no  positive 
declaration  had  ever  been  made  by  either  party.  This  occasiop  he 
had  selected  for  the  purpose  of  coming  to  a  definite  understanding. 
He  plucked  the  frost  bitten  rose  buds,  rolled  them  in  his  hands,  and 
crushed  them  between  his  fingers,  which  were  cold  and  bloodIe.ss.  HLs 
heart  palpitated  with  unusual  rapidity- — his  throat  became  unac- 
countably dry,  and  the  powers  of  speech  strangely  forsook  him. 
What  was  the  matter  ?  Am  I  sick  ?  he  thought,  no  I  have  no 
headache,  no  fever,  no  symptoms  of  disease.  ''  But  this  is  a  very 
awkward  and  foolish  position.     I  will  speak." 

But  the  supper  bell  is  ringing,  and  we  must  not  eavesdrop  the 
young  lovers.  They  linger,  and  are  in  a  low  couversation.  The 
spell  is  broken,  the  dumb  is  speaking,  the  patient  has  recovered,  and 
^he  future  must  develop  whether  Mr.  Mortimer  was  successful. 
Nellie's  face  is  flushed,  and  she  has  no  relish  for  tea,  while  My.  M. 
is  unusually  vivacious. 

But  the  reader  is  waiting  with  impatience  to  hear  Dr.  Pratt,  who 
has  the  floor.  In  his  hand  he  holds  a  small  bit  of  paper,  which 
mu.st  be  either  the  skeleton  of  his  speech  or  a  memorandum  of  the 
points  of  his  argument.  We  may  begin  to  tremble,  for  Jupiter 
stands  forth  in  his  majesty,  with  the  wand  of  power  in  his  hand. 

"  The  time  has  come  when  self-respect,  philanthropy  and  patriotism 
demand  that  I  should  be  heard  in  defense  of  my  principles.  Duty 
calls,  and  I  re.spond  with  pleasure.  I  will  no  longer  prove  recreant 
to  the  high  trust  which  I  feel  is  reposed  in  me  of  vindicating  the 
purity  of  abolitionists  and  the  rights  of  man.  The  character  of  tho 
former  have  been  aspersed,  while  I  have  sat  silently  by;  were  they 
present  I  would  ask  their  forgiveness.  But  by  whom  aspersed? 
Who  has  become  the  self-appointed  judge  to  sit  in  trial  on  the  motives 
of  a  highly  enlightened  and  eminently  christian  people?  Who  has 
become  the  expounder  of  divine  and  heavenly  truth,  and  a  teacher 
of  correct  morals  and  religion?  A  slaveholder — one  who  lives  in  the 
daily  violation  of  the  most  palpable  principles  and  spirit  of  our  holy 
religion — one  who  binds  men  in  the  chains  of  bondage — -one  who 
coerces  men  and  women  against  their  will  to  labor  for  his  benefit — 
one  who  totally  disregards  the  righis  of  others — one  who  comes  in  coq- 


X60  N'ELLIB   NORTON'. 

tact  with  the  iateiligciiccof  the  age,  and  in  coniSictwith  the  religious 
coDvictious  of  the  civilized  world-^uno  who  has  the  presumption 
(^excuse  the  word)  to  say  that  abolitionism  is  funaticism  ;  that  such 
goodly  men  as  Wayland,  Chanuing,  Bcet-her  and  l?:irnes  are  fanaticp; 
that  such  statesmen  as  Sumner,  Lovejoy,  Seward,  Wilmot,  in  the 
United  States,  and  the  wisdom  of  the  English  Cabinet,  are  knaves. 
One  born  at  the  North,  reared  in  our  schools,  rocked  in  the  lap  of 
pious  horrors  lor  the  inhumanity  of  slavery,  and  then,  and  Omn, 
proved  a  recreant  to  the  early  instructions  of  truth !  Such  is  the 
man  who  would  lecture  abolitionists  on  good  morals  and  the  divinely 
inspired  word — a  man  who  endorses  an  institution  that  beans  on  ita 
face  a  perpetual  fraud,  and  embodies  in  its  essential  elements  the 
most  flagrant  wrongs — wrongs  which  are  '  so  transcendent,  so  loath- 
some, so  direful,'  that  they  must  be  encountered  uhrrevcr  tliey  can 
he  readied,  and  the  battle  must  be  continued,  without  truce  or  com- 
promise, until  the  field  is  entirely  won.  Slavery — the  very  word  is 
a,  reproach  to  our  dialect;  it  should  be  stricken  from  use;  it  is  a 
stigma  upon  the  civilization  of  the  age — a  burning  disgrace  to  our 
Christianity.  What  evils  have  followed  in  its  train  '{  Kather  may  I 
ask,  to  what  evils  has  it  not  given  rise  ?  Are  there  tears  in  tins 
lovely,  sunny  land  ? — they  are  the  tears  of  slaves.  Are  there  sighs 
and  groan ings  at  the  2Jorth  'i — they  are  on  account  of  this  moral 
pollution  that  hangs  as  an  incubus  upon  society.  Do  wives  and  hus- 
bands weep  over  an  inhuman  separation  from  each  other?  Slavery 
must  bear  the  curse.  Are  parents  and  children  ruthlessly  torn 
asunder  ? — the  iron  hand  and  heart  of  slavery  have  crushed  and 
broken  these  loving  spirits.  Do  huiuanlty  and  religion  weep  over 
the  indulgence  of  the  most  brutal  passions  that  ever  disgraced  our 
race  ? — it  is  because  slavery  has  given  rise  to  the  indulgence  of  these 
unhallowed  propensities.  Are  the  stroan)s  of  human  life  made  bitter 
and  its  paths  set  with  thorns  ? — these  are  but  the  natural  fruits  of 
the  evil  genius  of  slavery.  Are  there  wranglings  in  the  halls  of  our 
national  legislature  ? — slavery  has  broken  its  peace  and  sundered  its 
bonds  of  union.  Are  the  peace  and  harmony  of  our  churches 
invaded  ?  Are  the  friends  of  religion  at  enmity  with  each  other  ? 
What  has  done  all  this?  Who  has  dared  to  iuvade  the  sacred  sanc- 
tuary, the  Holy  of  Holies  'i  The  emissaries  of  satan  embodied  in 
slavery.  It  has  placed  its  polluted  hand  upon  the  consecrated  ves- 
sels, and  has  the  presumption  of  Uzziah  to  offer  holy  sacrifices  upon 
its  divine  altars ;  then  turning  to  the  true  and  appointed  priests  of 


NELLIE   NORTON.  161 

the  Most  High,  would  lecture  them  on  moral  and  religious  propriety, 
and  give  them  exegeses  of  the  Divine  word. 

Now,  Mr.  Thompson,  you  have  a  bird's  eye  view  of  the  evils  of 
slavery  and  the  presumption  of  slaveliolders.  Do  you  say  that  an 
inspired  Apostle  endorses  and  enforces  this  institution  ?  Dare  you 
say  thai  the  immaculate  Sou  of  God  fostered  slavery  ?  The  thought 
is  presumption — its  expression  blasphemy.  Slavery  always  has, 
and  always  must,  resort  to  the  most  palpable  perversions  of  Scripture 
to  sustain  itself  Then,  sir,  tell  me  not  that  slavery  is  right.  It  is 
not  true.  I  would  not  believe  it  though  one  rose  from  the  dead  to 
testify  to  it." 

Mrs.  Norton  was  elated  as  her  pastor  proceeded,  and  felt  sure  he 
was  demolishing  every  position  her  brother  had  taken.  She  felt 
well  satisfied  when  he  was  done  that  human  wisdom  could  do  no 
more,  and  that  human  ambition  could  desire  no  more.  She  fully 
expected  her  brother  would  yield.  What  could  he  say  in  reply  ? 
"  Are  you  through  ?  "  quietly  asked  Mr.  T. 

"  I  am,  sir,"  was  the  Doctor's  emphatic  reply,  with  an  air  of  satis- 
faction, which  was  rather  amusing,  as  it  seemed  to  say  "  I  have 
triumphed." 

"  I  have  no  reply"  said  Mr.  T.  "  to  make  to  your  fulmination.  I 
must  be  contented  with  a  very  modest  little  criticism,  which  I  hope 
you  will  receive  kindly.  I  shall  oflfer  nothing  in  defense  of  myself 
for  presuming  to  teach  you.  It  is  the  duty  of  those  holding  the 
truth  to  give  it  to  those  who  are  in  error,  whether  they  will  hear  or 
forbear.  With  such  honorable  company  as  Washington,  Calhoun, 
Clay,  Madison,  Jackson,  Berrien,  Crawford,  etc. ;  with  such  pious  asso- 
ciates as  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob,  David,  Solomon  and  lilisha,  Bas- 
eomb,  Thornwell  and  Fuller,  I  am  not  reproached  by  being  called  u 
slaveholder.  I  have  been  greatly  disappointed,  Doctor,  in  your  reply,  as 
you  consider  it.  I  thought  you  would  show  that  my  interpretation 
of  the  Scriptures  was  wrong,  that  the  text  meant  somethiu"-  else.  I 
supposed  you  would  bring  up  some  anjnment  to  prove  abolitionism 
right,  but  you  made  no  effort  to  do  so,  and  I  think  displayed  much 
wisdom  by  the  omission.  A  good  lawyer  sees  his  weak  points  before 
his  opponent  does,  and  never  alludes  to  them,  lest  his  antagonist 
should  take  advantage  of  them.  You  are  wise  and  crafty.  You 
assert  much,  and  do  not  fail  in  your  proofs,  because  you  att«mpt  none. 
I  must  say  of  your  speech,  however,  that  it  is  eminently  character- 
istic.  You  are  a  representative  character.  You  illustrate  abolition, 
ism.     You   would   have    the   word   slavery   blotted   out   from   our 


162  NELLIE   XORTOX. 

Iftnguage.  What  would  jou  insert  ia  its  place  in  the  New  Testament  ? 
"  It  is  a  stigma  upon  the  civilization  of  the  age  and  a  burning  dis- 
grace to  our  Christianity,"  you  say.  Why,  Paul,  why  were  you  so 
unfortunate  iu  the  selection  of  a  word,  which  has  become  a  stigma 
upon  civilization?  How  much  more  flo  for  you  to  put  it  into  the 
l»ivineword.  But  answers  Paul :  "The  Holy  -Spirit  gave  nic  the 
word,  and  told  me  to  write  it."  But  did  you  not  know  it  would  be 
offensive  to  the  delicate  sensibilities  of  this  jge,  and  that  much  com- 
plaint would  be  made  agaiust  it?  "  Ves,"  says  Paul,  "I  knew  that 
those  who  would  '  nut  consent  to  wholciome  wurds,  even  the  words 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,*  which  He  gave  me,  would  always  be 
'doting  about  questions  and  strifes  df  words';  but. they  are  only 
the  *  perverse  disputings  of  men  of  corrupt  minds,  who  are  destitute 
of  the  truth.'  But,  Paul,  cannot  this  word  slarvry  be  blotted  out 
from  the  revelation  ?  '  If  any  man  shall  take  away  from  the  iconLsoT 
the  book  of  this  prophecy,  (Jod  shall  take  away  His  part  out  of  the 
book  of  life,  and  out  of  the  holy  city,  and  from  the  things  which  are 
written  in  this  book.'  Then  I  guess,  Doctor,  we  had  better  not 
meddle  with  this  word.  AVe  had  better  have  the  stij^ma  upon  our 
civilization  than  to  have  our  part  taken  out  of  the  book  of  life.  W^e 
cannot  very  well  get  it  out  of  our  language,  so  long  as  we  use  that 
old  fashioned  book  called  the  Bible,  and  as  our  sainted  parents  have 
told  us  it  came  from  heaven,  and  as  their  dying  testimony  bore  wit- 
ness to  its  heavenly  coiuforts  and  immutable  truth,  it  might  be  well 
for  us  to  respect  even  its  wunh,  as  these  are  the  signs  of  its  inspired 
thoughts.  1  confess  uiyself  at  a  loss.  Doctor,  lor  your  speech  i.s  hard 
to  tiud.  It  passes  out  of  mind.  One  cannot  very  well  hold  it.  1 
think  though  you  said  something  about  the  evils  of  slavery,  what 
we  .Southerners  call  the  aJniKts  of  the  institution.  I  promised  to  be 
frank  and  ingenuous  iu  this  discussion,  no  matter  what  it  costs  of 
ieeling.  1  will  keep  my  word.  Slavery  has  its  abuses  as  well  as 
every  other  relation  in  life.  Some  cruel,  heartless  masters,  destitute 
of  proper  moral  feelings,  sometimes  .separate  husband  and  wife;  and 
the  same  evil,  by  similar  characters,  is  done  to  parents  and  children. 
There  are  cruel  masters  as  well  as  cruel  husbands  and  parents  ;  there 
are  tyrannical  masters  as  well  as  kings  and  princes.  But  you  do  not 
say  *  the  evils  of  marriage  or  of  the  parental  relation,'  you  do  not 
say  '  the  evils  of  jxiwer,'  but  the  nlrnscs  of  marriage,  the  abuses  of 
the  parental  relation,  the  abuses  of  power.  So  we  say  the  abuses  of 
slavery.  These  abuses  in  slavery,  like  those  of  marriage  and  power, 
are  the  exceptions,  not  the  rule.     That  they  ought  not-to  exist,  that 


NELLIE    NOKTOX.  163 

t'ncy  are  contrary  to  the  preccptis  and  genius  of  Christianity,  I  most 
freely  admit ;  that  they  should  be  corrected,  is  the  firm  conviction 
and  earnest  desire  of  our  people  generally  j  that  tliey  have  been 
greatly  diuiiuishcd  for  the  last  few  years,  until  they  are  scarcely  to 
be  found  in  our  land  at  the  present  time,  is  the  observation  of  every 
close  observer.  Every  master  is  held  responsible,  both  by  kw  and 
pubhc  sentiment,  for  the  mild  and  proper  treatment  of  his  slaves,  for 
furnishing  them  with  food,  clothing  and  religious  privileges ;  that 
we  are  accountable  to  God  for  the  manner  in  which  we  treat  those 
whom  ITc  has  placed  in  bondage  under  us,  is  a  fact  believed  by  all 
among  us,  save  those  who  may  reject  the  Divine  revelation.  There 
is  not  a  master  of  moial  standing  in  all  the  land  who  would  not  con- 
tribute his  influence  to  the  correction  of  every  abuse  of  slavery.  We 
know  what  those  abuses  are ;  you  and  your  abolition  fraternity  do 
not.  We  are  willingto  be  instructed  on  this  subject  by  each  other, 
but  not  by  those  who  deny  the  moral  and  Scriptural  validity  of  the 
institution.  W^e  understand  our  responsibilities,  and  assume  them 
with  the  same  con6dence  of  our  ability  to  discharge  the  duties  con- 
nected with  thiem  that  we  cherish  in  the  other  relations  of  life.  We 
feel  able  to  think  and  act  for  ourselves  without  the  officious  inter- 
meddling of  abolitionists.  While  Southerners  are  willing  to  aid  one 
another  iu  correcting  every  abuse  of  slavery,  they  will  resist  with 
their  whole  moral,  mental  and  physical  powers  any  and  every  attempt 
to  break  its  chains.  The  existence  and  use  of  an  institution  and  its 
abuse  are  two  widely  diiferent  things,  as  unlike  as  white  and  black, 
light  and  darkness.  Marriag-e  is  of  God,  and  is  therefore  good,  but 
its  abuse  is  wide  spread  and  ruins  thousands,  '  but  must  marriage  on 
this  account  be  abolished  '( '  '  No,'  said  Mr.  Mortimer,  '  not  yet  T 
hope.'  All  smiled  but  Nellie,  who  blushed  deeply.  Mr.  T.  pro- 
ceeded :  '  Govern  (iicnts  are  indispensable  to  the  well-being  of  society, 
but  rulers  are  sometimes  tyrants  and  usurpers.  Shall  governments 
be  abolished  on  this  account  ?  The  parental  relation  is  greatly 
abused.  A  heartless  mother  or  brutal  father  may  treat  their  children 
with  shocking  inhumanity.  Shall  this  institution  of  heaven  be 
abolished  on  account  of  these  occasional  abuses  ?  We  may  safely 
say  there  is  no  po.sition  of  trust  or  power  in  which  fallible  man  has 
been  placed  but  what  has,  by  some,  been  abused.  Shall  man,  on 
this  account,  never  again  be  entrusted  with  positions  of  honor  or 
power  ?  Surely  you  would  not  thus  disintegrate  human  society  !  No, 
you  would  not  do  tLi*^  but,  as  a  member  of  that  society,  you  would 
labor  to  correct  the  evils,  and  thus  benefit  your  race.     This  seems  to 


164  yULUK   5ORT0?f. 

be  the  plan  marked  out  hj  the  Divine  Providence  for  the  Soalh,and 
we  are  fnllowinpj  the  guidinc  hand  and  doing  the  work  thus  assigned 
to  us.  But  let  as  nhnr,  and  wc  will  ncconiplish  it.  All  abolition 
interference  but  stays  the  hand  of  reformation.  Correct  the  evils 
that  exist  among  you  at  the  North,  for  thoy  are  fearful,  and  we  will 
attend  as  best  we  may  to  those  at  the  South.  Take  the  beam  out  of 
your  own  eye  6nit,  and  then  you  can  see  more  clearly  the  mote  that 
is  in  ours." 

"  To  .«how,"  said  Nellie,  "  there  are  cruelties  not  less  abhorrent  at 
the  North  than  any  which  can  poesibly  exist  at  the  South,  I  propose^ 
if  you  all  will  permit  mc,  to  read  a  few  extracts  from  a  book  written 
by  a  Philadelphia  lady,  who  knew  personally  the  facts  of  which  she 
writes.     Speaking   of   the    leading  abolition    characters,    male   and 
female,  with  whom  she  was  acquainted,  she   says  :     '  They  make  a 
great  noise  in  the  world,  and  create  for  themselves  the  reputation  of 
philanthropists.     These  persons  are  generally  small  and  mean  in  all 
their   operations.     The  sight   of  a   widow  struggling   through  tho 
world  with  her  fatherless  children  cannot  awaken  their  pity.     Tho 
picture  of  misery  presented   by  the   forlorn  state   of  those  helpless 
children,  who  arc  taken  into  the  houses  of  our  citizens  and  treated 
with  a  degree  of  cruelty  that  would  appear  apoehryphal  to  those  who 
have  not  been   eye-witnesses  to   it,  has  no  effect  to  call  forth  their 
sympathy.     The  wretched  class  of  sewing  girls,  who  form  so  large  a 
portion  of  our  cities,  who  toil   from  early  morning  till  late  at  night, 
for  the   miserable  pittance   that  but  just  suffices   to  keep  soul  and 
body  together,  who  go  down  to  the  grave  while  yet  but  very  children, 
or,  what  is  far  worse,  live  on,  if  living  it  may  be  called,  to  a  prema- 
ture and   imbecile  old   age,  shuf   mit  from   rvrri/  nijuymevt  of  life, 
debarred  from  all  the  innocent  recreations  of  youth,  aye,  debarred 
even  from  those  bright  Iwpes  which  come  to  the  happy,  these  slaves, 
Oirsc  rrri/  nUnrs  of  the  North,  find   neither  friendship  nor  humanity 
amongst  the.'^c  abolitionists;  but,  on  the  contrary,  these  noble  beings, 
these  friends  of  the  oppressed  and  down  trodden  slave,  employ  the 
poor  sewing  girl,  beat  her  down  in  her  price,  make  her  work  till  as 
near  mid-night  as  possible,  and  then  make  her  wait  for  her  wages  for 
weeks  and  sometimes  for  months  after  she  has  earned  them. 

"  I  know  a  poor  girl,  a  dress-maker,  who  worked  at  her  trade 
until  four  weeks  before  her  death,  wearily  dracging  herself  about  to 
her  customers,  and  then  sitting  down  in  her  lonely  garret  to  put 
together  the  finery  that  was  to  adorn  them.  ♦She  was  a  christian,  a 
member  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  had  a  name  and  a  soul  as  pure 


NELLIE   NORTOPr,  165 

as  the  tlntradden  snow.  She  was  in  a  consumption,  and  when  she 
found  herself  growing  rery  weak,  she  sent  for  my  mother  and  myself, 
and  we  hastened  to  her  and  performed  every  little  office  of  friendship 
that  was  in  our  power.  One  day  she  said  to  me,  *  Lizzie,  I  have  a 
request  to  make  of  you.'     '  Name  jt  Bridget,*  said  I.     '  I  want  you 

to  take  this  little  bill  to  Miss  — ■ ,  in  Girard  street;  tell  her  how 

ill  I  am,  and  that  I  really  need  the  money,  and  ask  her  to  please 
settle  it.  I  have  already  gone  there  several  times,  and  she  has 
always  put  me  off.  ..*.:..  She  was  dressed  in  a  handsome  silk 
dress,  and  had  on  quite  a  profusion  of  jewelry.  I  handed  her  the 
hill,  and  told  her  that  poor  Eridget  was  very  ill  and  could  not  possi- 
bly live  but  a  few  weeks,  and  begged  her  to  pay  it.  She  spoke 
(juite  saucily,  and  seemed  to  think  it  a  very  insulting  thing  to  ber 
dignity  to  be  dunned  in  that  way.  I  left  the  matter  in  her  bands, 
and  I  am  ready  to  prove  that  poor  Bridget  went  to  her  grave  in 
Ronaldson's  burying  ground  without  ever  receiving  one  penny  of  the 
money.  There  is  not  a  lady  in  the  whole  Southern  country  that 
could  have  been  capable  of  such  an  act." 

"  Nor  has  a  slave  ever  died  under  such  circumstances  of  want,'' 
said  Mr.  Thompson. 

"  A  poor  woman,"  continued  Nellie,  "with  a  husband  bed^ridden 
for  months,  she  feeble,  and  at  the  time  in  bed,  with  six  children 
crying  for  bread,  sent  a  little  account  to  a  wealthy  lad)"  in  Philadel- 
phia, who  lived  in  elegant  style.  When  poor  little  Ellen  Plarly 
arrived,  the  woman  of  wealth  was  surrounded  by  some  visitors. 
Sending  for  the  lady  into  another  room,  Ellen  modestly  and  bashfully 
told  her  errand.  The  reply  was  characteristic  :  '  And  is  this  what 
you  bad  the  impertinence  to  bring  me  from  my  company  for,  to  hear 
this  miserable  story  about  a  sick  father  and  mother  and  ?  whole  troop 
of  starving  brats? '  The  old  tale  to  move  people's  pity,  but  it  won't 
do,  I  can  tell  you.  You  ought  to  be  taken  up  as  vagrants.  If  I  was 
not  very  charitable,  I  should  send  you  to  prison  at  once — however,  I 
won't  be  hard  with  you — here  is  a  half  dollar,  come  back  to-morrow 
ftod  I  will  pay  you  the  rest,  and  remember  to  tell  your  mother  that  I 
shall  never  employ  such  a  low  bred  person  to  sew  for  me  again,  I 
find  it  quite  insufferable." 

"  Now,"  said  Nellie,  "  have  a  little  patience  while  I  present  some 
instances  of  cruelty  in  Northern  masters  and  mistresses,  which  I 
presume  cannot  find  a  parallel  in  the  South. 

"This  same  little  Bilen  Early  was  the  daughter  of  a  gentleman 
who  sat  out  in  life  as  a  New  York  merchant,  with  as  bright  prospects 


166  NELLIE    NORTON. 

in  business,  and  with  as  pure  and  angelic  a  wife  as  ever  graced  the 
fashionable  circles  of  the  city.  But  her  too  generous  husband  lost 
all  by  security.  Being  reduced  in  health  by  consumption,  till  he 
was  unable  to  give  his  personal  attention  to  any  bu.siness,  and  having 
been  forsaken  in  the  day  of  his  adversity  by  the  numerous  heartless 
friends  who  in  former  years  had  thronged  his  parlor,  his  wife  sold 
her  jewels  and  obtained  money  enough  to  pay  their  expenses  to 
Philadelphia.  Here  they  were  reduced  to  such  straits  that,  as  their 
children  gi-ew  large  enough,  they  were  corfpelled  to  put  them  out 
fur  their  food  and  clothing.  This  was  the  fate  of  dear  little  Ellen, 
who  was  placed  with  a  iNlr.  Wilson,  about  twelve  miles  from  the  city. 
The  sensitive  mother's  heart  shrank  within  her  as  she  clasped  the 
dear  daughter  to  her  bosom  before  committing  her  to  the  man  who 
had  promised  she  should  be  treated  as  a  child  in  his  family. 

"When  once  domiciled  in  the  family,  slie  was  made  to  iron  and  wash ; 
she  scrubbed  the  house,  and  did  an  amazing  amount  of  chores  of  every 
description.  She  drove  the  cows  home  at  night,  carried  in  the  wood, 
and  often  had  to  split  it.  She  carried  all  the  water  from  the  spring, 
a  full  quarter  of  a  mile.  Her  food  was  of  the  coarsest  and  most 
scanty  kind  imaginable. 

"  When,  after  an  absence  of  at  least  a  year,  she  returned  home  to 
her  mother,  she  was  very  much  in  the  condition  of  pious  Job  of 
Scripture  memory,  wheo  he  was  forced  to  scrape  himself  with  a 
potsherd.  She  stared  vacantly,  and  sometimes  wildly  upon  every 
body;  sometimes  seemed  absent  minded,  and  again  fierce  as  a  tiger. 
The  startling  truth  burst  uj)on  the  poor  heart  broken  mother,  that 
Ellen  had  lost  her  reason,  but  how  or  wherefore  she  could  not  tell. 
Oue  day  when  the  li«ht  of  reason  had  for  some  hours  lit  up  poor 
Ellen's  face  her  mother  resolved  to  cjuestion  her  particularly  about 
her  home  in  the  country.  'Ellen,'  said  she,  did  Mrs.  Wilson  ever 
whip  you  when  you  lived  with  her  ? '  '0  yes,  every  day,'  answered 
the  girl.  'What  did  she  whip  you  with?'  'The  cowhide  some- 
times, sometimes  the  wall.'  '  How  do  you  mean  the  wall,  Ellen  ?  ' 
<  0,  she  beat  my  head  against  the  wall  till  I  had  such  a  queer  feelijig 
in  it,  and  I.  could  see  sparks  of  fire  in  my  eyes.  Then  Mr.  Wilson 
used  to  kick  me  all  about  the  room.'  '  What  did  you  do  to  deserve 
such  treatment,  Ellen  ?  You  must  have  been  very  saucy  to  them, 
Ellen,  and  very  bad  ?  '  '0,  no,  mamma,  I  was  not  saucy.  I  think 
they  thought  me  stupid,  and  indeed  I  didn't  know  how  to  do  any 
thing  right  just  as  I  was  told,  for  I  had  neyej  worked  so  hard  before ; 
but  I  wasn't  bad.'     Here  Ellen  began  to  sob  and  cry  as  if  her  heart 


NELLIE   NORTON.  167 

Avould  break,  but  at  the  moment  one  armed  Jim,  a  drunken  neighbor, 
came  reelinp;  up  the  court,  singing  a  rollicking  song,  and  Ellei?, 
starting  up  with  a  wild  burst  of  laughter,  ran  out  to  see  him,  and  in 
lier  face  ©ne  could  perceive  no  gleam  of  reason  lefl.  A  few  days 
after,  in  a  wild  delirium  of  the  brain,  Ellen  left  the  house,  and  was 
uot  missed  by  her  parents  till  near  nightfall.  Every  search  for  the 
poor  dem;_Hed  child  was  fruitless.  A  day  or  two  afterwards  Mr. 
Harley  read  the  following  in  one  of  the  morning  papers,  which  told 
the  sad  sequel  of  poor  Ellen.  Judge  of  the  feelings  of  the  poor 
mother's  heart  as  her  husband  read — 

"  '  Found  drowned  ! — The  body  of  a  little  girl  was  found  yesterday 
morning  iioating  in  the  river  Schuylkill,  by  a  party  of  boatmen.  Thft 
child  was  about  ten  years  of  age,  had  on  a  faded  calico  dress  and 
linsey  woolsey  petticoat.  In  her  pocket  was  a  handkerchief,  thimble 
and  tine  tooth  comb.  The  coroner  held  an  inquest  on  the  body,  and 
the  jury  rendered  a  verdict  of  accidental  drowning.  The  body  has 
been  taken  to  the  green  house,  where  it  awaits  the  recognition  of 
friends.' 

"  Such  is  the  result  of  tl\c  cruelty  of  Nofthcrn  masters  to  their 
poor  slaves.  You  have  read  of  poor  little  *Lily,  who  was  whipped 
by  her  rich  mistress,  in  a  Northern  city,  until  she  fainted,  and  was 
then  borne  to  the  garret  and  Idtked  up  in  the  room  with  two  skele- 
tons to  frighten  her  into  terms,  aud  made  to  stay  there  for  weeks, 
while  her  food  was  bread  and  water.  You  may  also  have  read  of  the 
wrongs  and  cruel  treatn>ent  of  little  Harry,  for  a  trifling  offense.  lie 
says  of  his  master  : 

"  *  He  ordered  me  t©  undress.  I  did  so.  He  told  the  mep  to  tie 
me  up  to  a  limb  of  the  tree  with  some  strong  cord  they  had  brought 
with  them.  This'  they  soon  accomplished,  and  then  I  felt  the  hard 
and  heavy  blows  of  the  cowhide  cutting  and  bruising  my  flesh,  and 
seeming  to  be  grinding  my  bones  to  powder.  I  held  out  as  long  as 
I  could,  but  at  last  I  cried  for  mercy.  I  implored  his  pity,  still  the 
blows  descended,  and  at  each  repetition  laid  open  the  quivering  flesh. 
In  the  midst  of  this  agony  consciousness  forsook  me,  and  I  knew  not 
what  happened  to  me  for  hours  afterwards.  When,  however,  I  at 
last  opened  my  eyes,  I  found  I  was  laid  in  my  own  garret,  but  there 
was  no  one  near  me.  I  felt  an  intense  burnine:  thirst.  There  was 
no  water  at  hand.     I  tried  to  rise  from  the  bed,  but  my  bruised  and 

mangled  body  WQuld  not  permit  me.    I  writhed  in  agony I 

heard  a  noise  on  the  stairs  of  a  heavy  step  ascending.  The  next 
moment  my  master  entered  the  room.     He  held  a  lemon  ia  his  hand^ 


168  NELLIK  NORTON. 

cut  ia  two.  For  what  purpose  he  had  brought  it,  I  soon  learned. 
He  turned  me  over  oa  my  side,  aud  with  a  malicious  leer  on  his  face 
he  squeezed  the  juice  into  the  open  cuts  on  my  back.  0  God  !  0 
my  mother  !  can  you  imagine  the  torture  he  inflicted  upon  me.  T 
felt  the  cold  shivering  of  agonized  despair  run  over  me.  I  implored 
him  to  have  mercy  upou  me,  as  he  hoped  to  find  mercy  with  God ; 
but  no,  he  pursued  his  purpose  till  he  had  satisfied  himsels,  and  then 
left  me,  deaf  to  my  cries  for  water,  deaf  to  everything  but  the  cruel 
promptifigs  of  his  iron  like  heart.' 

*•  These  are  no  fancy  sketches,"  added  Nellie.  "  They  are  written 
by  a  pious  and  intelligent  lady  of  Philadelphia,  who  vouches  for  the 
truth  of  them  before  {.he  t'earcher  of  hearts.  Such  is  the  refined 
cruelty  of  Northern  philanthropists !  who  are  heart  sick  at  the  inhu- 
manity of  Southern  slaveholders.  Perhaps  it  would  be  best  for  us 
Northern  people  to  abolish  slavery  at  home,  or,  at  least,  discontinue 
its  .abuses.  Our  example  might  do  more  for  the  South  than  our  pre- 
cepts have  as  yet  accomplished.  These  Southerners  will  not  be  so 
apt  to  heed  our  eflforts  while  we  preach  one  thing  aud  practice  another. 
Nor  will  they  hear  us  as  long  as  we  misapprehend  them.  They  know 
we  are  ignorant  of  many  of  the  things  whereof  we  affirm,  and  it  is 
not  strange  that  they  refuse  to  be  taught  by  us.  The  abuses  above 
alluded  to  were  perpetrated  by  prominent  abolitionists,  who  would 
give  a  thousand  dollars  each  per  annum  for  the  abolition  of  slavery." 

Nellie  ceased  speaking,  und  for  a  time  no  one  seemed  disposed  to 
speak.  Soon,  however,  Dr.  Pratt  broke  the  silence  by  saying,  "  Mr. 
Thornpson,  you  are  frequently  twitting  me  with  a  failure  to  produce 
Scripture  or  argument  against  slavery.  I  shall  beg  leave  to  dissent 
from  the  admission  of  Dr.  Waylaud,  "  that  there  is  uo  precept  in  the 
New  Testament  against  slavery,"  and  prove  to  you  there  is.  I  remem- 
ber being  in  Baltimore  a  few  years  ago  at  a  christian  convocation,  and 
to  have  heard  a  Southern  minister,  perhaps  Dr.  Johnston,  of  South 
(Jarolina,  ask  one  of  our  most  celebrated  divines,  "  What  he  consid- 
ered to  be  the  strongest  Scripture  in  the  Bible  against  slavery." 
Taking  the  New  Testament  in  his  hand,  he  turned  to  1  Cor.  vii :  21, 
and  read  :  "  Art  thou  called  being  a  servant  ?  Care  not  for  it ;  but 
if  thou  mayest  be  made  free,  use  it  rather."  I  hold,  sir,  that  here  is 
an  inspired  preference  expressed  for  the  freedom  of  the  slave.  It  is 
best,  "  Use  it  rather,"  it  is  for  his  development  as  a  christian,  and 
therefore  will  promote  his  efficiency,  and  consequently  is  for  the  glory 
of  his  Savior,     If  all  these  good  results  are  to  follow  the  emancipa- 


NELLIE   NORTON.  169 

tioa  of  a  christian  slave,  then  every  christian  master  is  under  obli- 
gation to  liberate  his  christian  slave." 

"  Your  quotation,"  said    Mr.  Thompson,  "  without  the  context, 
would   seem  to  bear  the  construction  you  give   it".     If  the  master 
proposes  to  free  his  slave,  and  the  slave  is  advised  to  accept  it,  there 
must  be  some  reason  for  the  advice  which   made   the  condition  of 
freedom  preferable.     But  let  us  go  back  and  read  the  context,  begin- 
ning at  the  17th  verse :     "  But  as  God  hath  distributed  to  every 
man,  as  the  Lurd  hath  called  every  one,  so  let  him  walk.     And  so  I 
ordain  in  all  the  churches.     Is  any  man  called  being  circumcised  '( 
let  him  not  become  uncircumcised.  Is  any  called  in  uncircumcision  ? 
let  not  bo  circumcised. .  . ,  Let  every  man  abide  in  the  same  calling 
icherein  he  was  called."     Here,  Doctor,  is  a  key  furnished  by  the 
inspired  author  of  this  language  by  which  to  reach  his  meaning. 
The  Jew  was  called  being  a  Jew;  let  him  not  desire  to  be  a  gentile. 
The  gentile  was  called  being  a  gentile;  let  him  not  at  his  conver- 
sion desire  to  be  a  Jew.     The  master  was  called  being  a  master,  and 
the  slave  was  called  being  a  slave.     Then  let  neither  of  these  be 
discontented  with   his   condition,  but  "  abide  in    the  same  calling 
wherein    they    were   called."     With   this   interpretation  agrees  Dr. 
Alford,  who  was  himself  an  abolitionist.     The  early  Fathers,  as  they 
are  called,  believed  this  passage  favored  slavery.     Chrysostom  says  : 
*'  If  thou  art  called  as  a  slave  care  nothing  for  it ;  nay,  although  thou 
canst  become  free,  yet  serve  rather,  for  the  believing  slave  is  yet  free 
in  the  Lord,  and  the  free  man  a  slave  of  Christ."   Your  construction 
is  of  modern  date,  and  owes  its  origin  to  abolitionism.     Indeed,  it 
seems  to  conflict  with  the  groat  idea  which  occupied  the  mind  of  the 
Apostle  when  he  wrote,  to  wit :  That  the  gospel  of  Christ  was  not  to 
unsettle  the  relations  of  human  society.     There  is  not  the  slightest 
intimation  to  the  master  that  it  is  his  duty  to  liberate  his  slave,  not 
even  a  preference  for  it  is  hinted  at,  nor  is  the  slave  to  seek   his 
liberty.     If,  then,  this  is  your  strongest  Scripture,  and  your  best 
argument,  your  tJause  is  indeed  a  weak  one.     Do  you  derive  authority 
from  this  text  for  the  organization  of  abolition  societies  for  sending 
out  abolition  emissaries  and  tracts,  and  for  stirring  up  insurrectionary 
feelings   in    the   minds   of  wicked  and  discontented  slaves  ?     But 
according  to  this  "  strongest  Scripture,"  none  but  christian  slaves 
would  be  entitled  even  to  accept  freedom,  if  tendered ;  nor  does  your 
construction  seem  to  impose  any  obligation  whatever,  even  on  chris- 
tian  masters  to  liberate  their  "  called  "  slaves.     So  that  the  very 
most  you  can   make  of  this  passage  is,  that   if  a  christian    master 
V 


170  NELLIE   NORTOX. 

should  thiuk  it  best  for  his  pious  slave  to  be  free,  and  voluntarily 
offer  him  his  freedom,  that  it  would  be  well  for  the  slave  to  accept  it. 
Such  things  have  frequently  been  done  in  the  South.  A  slave  is 
converted,  exhibits  a  deep  sense  of  his  obligations  to  his  race  to 
preach  to  them  the  gospel,  feels  called  to  bear  the  news  of  salvation 
to  his  fathiT-land.  His  nia.stor  is  made  acquainted  with  his  convic- 
tions and  desires,  and  feeling  a  deep  sympathy  in  the  same  good 
work,  sets  him  at  liberty,  and  pays  his  expenses  across  the  water, 
having  first  given  him  a  generous  outfit,  and  then  contributes  annually 
to  the  support  of  his  pious  missionary.  Under  such  circumstances, 
if  a  slave  may  "be  made  free,"  1  would  say  with  all  my  heart, 
"  Use  it  rather."  Nor  would  any  pious  Southern  christian  disfcent 
from  this  view. 

Your  view  of  this  passage  is  not  universally  conceded  by  Biblical 
critics,  even  among  abolitionists.  Conybeare  and  Howson,  the  for- 
mer "  Late  Fellow  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,"  and  the  latter 
"  Principal  of  the  Collegiate  Institution,  Liverpool,"  both  learned 
critics  and.translators,  give  the  passage  in  examination  this  version  : 
"  Wast  thou  in  slavery  at  the  time  of  thy  calling?  Care  not  for  it. 
Nay,  though  thou  have  the  power  to  gain  thy  freedom,  seek  rather  to 
remain  content."  In  the  foot  note  these  men  say :  "  The  Greek 
here  is  ambiguous,  and  might  be  so  rendered  as  to  give  directly 
opposite  precepts  ;  but  the  version  given  in  the  text,  (which  is  that 
advocated  by  Chrysostom,  Meyer  and  DcWette,)  agrees  best  with 
the  Kai  and  also  with  the  context." 

Here,  then,  are  two  abolition  witne.^^ses,  at  least,  who  testify  that 
your  pillar  of  abolitionism  is  a  strong  column  in  supporting  slavery. 
Now,  Doctor,  1  wish  to  call  your  attention  to  Paul's  instruction  to 
Titus.  Chapter  ii:  9-10:  "Exhort  servants  (doulni)  to  be  obe- 
dient unto  their  own  masters,  and  to  please  them  well  in  all  things; 
not  answering  again  ;  not  purloining,  but  showing  all  good  fidelity, 
that  they  may  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  our  iSavior  in  all  things." 
Titus,  as  you  know,  was  a  young  minister,  who  was  just  entering 
upon  the  great  work  to  which  he  was  called.  Paul  was  giving  him 
a  charge  as  to  the  matter  and  manner  of  his  sermons  and  exhorta- 
tions. Under  the  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  he  tells  him  to 
"  Exhort  slaves  to  be  obedient  unto  their  own  masters,  and  to  please 
them  well  in  all  things."  Now  would  it  not  have  a  better  moral 
effect  for  you  Northern  preachers  to  study'Paul  to  Timothy  and  Titus 
a  little  more,  and  the  writings  of  Wayland,  Channing,  and  the  class 
who  so  unhesitatingly  oppose  the  teachings  of  inspiration,  a  little 


NELLIE   NORTON.  171 

less.  Would  it  not  be  safe  for  religion  to  preach  just  what  God 
says,  or  must  we  "add  to  and  take  fVom  "  the  Divine  law,  in  order 
to  perfect  it  ?  Do  you  think,  Doctor,  you  would  be  willing  to  teach 
to  my  slaves  and  others  in  the  South  the  doctrines  here  taught  ? 
Would  you  be  willing  to  tell  them,  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  that  they 
could  not  "  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Savior,"  without  obedience 
to  their  masters,  and  unless  they  "strove  to  please  them  well  in  all 
things  ?  Could  you  do  this,  dare  you  do  it,  without  coming  in  conflict 
with  your  abolition  principles?" 

The  Doctor  sat  silently  looking  on  the  floor  for  a  moment,  and  then 
raised  his  head  as  if  he  would  speak.  Slowly  turning  his  gaze  on 
Mt.  Thompson,  he  finally  replied  :  "Why  not'/  I  do  not  see  that 
it  materially  interferes  with  my  ptinciples.  It  only  teaches,  as  Dr. 
Wayland  has  said,  patience,  fidelity,  meekness  and  charity — duties 
which  are  obligatory  on  christians  towards  all  men,  and  of  course 
towards  masters.  And  I  will  also  add  with  Dr.  \V.  that  it  is  to  be 
observed  that  the  Apostles  arc  in  every  ease  careful  not  to  utter  a 
syllable  by  which  they  concede  the  right  of  the  master,  but  they 
always  add  a  reason  for  these  precepts,  viz  :  the  relation  in  which  the 
slave  stands  to  Christ." 

"It  only  teaches,  you  think,"  said  Mr.T.,  "patience,  meekness, 
fidelity  and  charity.  But  does  it  not  teach  obedience  to  masters  ?  It 
says,  'obey  your  ma.sters.'  Does  it  mean  something  else?  But  the 
Apostles  are  careful  '  not  to  utter  a  syllable  by  which  they  concede 
the  right  of  the  master.'  Though  it  is  sinful  to  disobey,  so  that  by 
disobedience  the  servant  reproaches  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Savior ; 
and  their  obedience  is  of  so  great  importance  that  the  unerrin|:;J 
wisdom  of  a  holy  God  sent  oft-repeated  messages,  injunctions  and 
commandments  requiring  positive  and  uncomplaining  obedience  and 
acquiescence  to  the  master's  behests ;  yet  *  not  one  syllable  is  uttered 
conceding  the  master's  right.'  I  am  reluctant,  Doctor,  to  accuse  you 
and  Dr.  Wayland  of  mental  obtu.seness,  but  really  something  is  wrong. 
What  is  it  ?     Where  shall  I  fiud  it  ?     To  what  shall  I  attribute  it  ?" 

"  The  Unitarian  says  :  '  The  divinity  of  Christ  is  not  taught  in  the 
Bible.'  The  U^niversalist  says  future  punishment  is  not'  to  be 
found  there  ;  the  Roman  Catholic  says  there  is  a  purgatory  to  be 
found  there ;  the  Jew  says  the  Messiah  has  not  yet  come,  that  there 
is  no  divine  evidence  of  it  j  the  Atheist  says  there  is  no  God.  You 
.say  all  these  err,  and  I  most  cordially  agree  with  you  in  that  opinion, 
but  the  unreasonableness  of  these  errors"  are  not  less  apparent  than 
that  of  yours.     1  will,  however,  call  your  attention  to  this  fact  again 


172  NELLIE  NOHTON. 

i 

when  we  come  to  consider  the  Kpistle  of  Paul  to  Philemon.  But  f 
cannot  l<^ave  this  subject,  Doctor,  without  saying  that  to  mmplctely 
antagoniftic  arc  the  teachingK  of  the  JiiUi'  to  thofe  of  nholitionist$f 
that  t/ou  cannot  preach  the  tchole  goitprf  of  the  Sf>n  of  God.  Yortr 
pvtlpit*  will  never  again  have  a  pure  gospfl — >/ortr  hearers  leiH  never 
hf"  blessed  tcith  ministerial  instructions  on  the  ichvle  of  revelation. 
Mark  what  I  have  said,  and  let  God  and  Hi.«  word  bear  witness  to  ita 
truth  Of  falsehood." 

"  Well,  husband,  it  is  petting  rather  late,"  said  Mrs.  Thompson, 
"  and  I  feel  fatigued.  If  the  company  will  excu.se  me  a.s  an  invalid, 
I  will  retire." 

"Certainly,  wife,  and  we  will  suspend  till  to-morrow  evening.  Mr. 
Mortimer,  you  will  return  again." 

"  Thank  you,  sir.  1  desire  to  hear  you  through.  I  am  very  much 
interested." 

Mr.  Mortimer  handed  Nellie  to  the  piano.  All  having  retired, 
she  felt  less  restraint  in  singing  a  song,  at  his  request,  which  breathed 
the  sentiments  of  a  heart  pure  and  loving  for  the  one  who  stood  by 
her  side.  At  a  late  hour,  Nellie  retired  to  her  room.  She  was 
really  happy.  No  misgivings — no  shrinking  back.  Here  were  two 
congenial  hearts,  united  already  in  a  bond  of  pure,  unselfish  love. 
No  mercenary  motives,  no  social  policy,  no  worldly  element  had  kin- 
dled the  virtuous  fire  that  burned  within. 

"  And  then  tbat  Lope,  that  ficrj  hope, 
Oh  I  she  awfik'd,  such  happy  dreama. 
And  gave  her  soul  such  tempting  scop* 
For  all  its  dearest,  fondest  schemes." 


l^ELLIE  NORTON.  .  17S 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

A    Coniptete  Endorsement    of    Slavert/   by  Inspired  Example   and 
Precept — Dr.  Barnes  in  Error.  ^ 

Mr.  Mortimer  returned  to  Lis  home,  entered  his  solitary  room, , 
stood  before  a  large  tiiirror  surveying  himself  for  a  moment,  solilo- 
quising as  follows  •  "  Yes,  I  am  the  same  identical  man  I  was  before; 
though  really  I  have  a  different  sensation  about  me.  I  wonder  what 
Nellie,  so  pure,  so  angelic,  could  have  promised  herself  in  consenting 
to  become  Mrs.  Mortimer  ?  She  could  not  have  promised  herself  a 
handsome  husband,  or  one  very  etjgaging  in  conversation,  nor  one 
very  intelligent.  Well,  she  loved  me,  and  love  "thinkethno  evil 
and  hideth  a  multitude  of  faults."  I  am  a  perfect  blunderer,  an 
Unmitigated  bungler.  Did  ever  anybody  feel  so  embarrassed  and 
appear  so  awkward  as  I  did  ?  But  it  is  all  over,  and  I  was  successful, 
yes,  successful  in  winning  the  noblest  heart  of  the  noblest,  purest, 
,  most  fascinating,  graceful  angel  out  of  Paradise.  Who  so  happy  aa 
I  ?  None,  positively  none.  But  this  is  only  the  happiness  of  hope, 
of  anticipation ;  how  much  more  delightful  will  be  the  reality. 
Nothicg  shall  ever  prevent  the  realization  of  such  a  beautiful  and 
bright  prospect,  unless  heaven  reverses  our  purpose;  but  heaven  is 
propitious,  and  therefore  the  sequel  will  be  a  joyous  reality. 

"Auspicious  hope^  in  thy  sweet  garden  grow 
Wreaths  for  each  toil,  a  charm  for  every  woe : 
Won  by  their  sweets,  in  nature's  languid  hour, 
The  way-worn  pilgrim  seeks  thy  summer  bower; 
There,  as  the  wild  bee,  murmurs  oo  the  wing, 
What  peaceful  dreams  thy  handmaid  spirits  brin^  ! 
What  viewless  forms  th'  yEolian  organs  play, 
And  sweep  the  furrowed  lines  of  anxious  thought  away. 
Conjugal  hope  I  thy  passion  kindling  power, 
How  bright,  how  strong  in  youth's  untroubled  hour." 

"  Maspa,  I  'clare  you  sleep  all  day,  I  'bleave  ef  I  let  you,"  said 
aunt  Hannah  as  she  shook  the  bed  whereon  her  young  master  was 
soundly  sleeping.  Mr.  M.  opened  his  eyes,  and  was  surprieod  to  find 
he  had  slept  till  past  nine  o'clock.  Why  did  you  tiot  wake  me  earlier, 
aunt  Hannah  ?  "     "  Why,  you  see,  master,  you  comes  home  late,  and 


174  NELLIE   NORTON'. 

I  hates  to  'slurb  you  'fore  you  gits  your  Da]!  uut.  I  'speck  that 
youDg  Miss  over  at  Miss  Tliompson's,  what  keep  you  up  po  late,  I 
never  see  you  stay  out  so  late  'fore.  I  'spect  .somc'n  twixt  you  and 
that  gal,  aint  they  ma.s.  You  gwine  to  git  ms  a  mistis  ?  1  hope  she 
be  good,  but  I  know  you  wouldn't  git  no  other  sort."  Her  Master 
a.«;<uro(l  her  that  Miss  Nellie  Norton  was  a  perfect  Helena  in  beauty, 
a  Minerva  in  Vrisdoni,  a  Dorcas  'in  kindness,  and  an  angel  in  every- 
thing else.    . 

But  the  reader  is  anxious  to  listen  again  to  the  discussion  of 
slavery.  80  we  will  pass  over  in  silence  all  the  joyous  anticipations 
of  the  two  young  loving  hearts  in  which  they  indulged  during  the 
day,  as  they  contemplated  meeting  again  at  tvening.  It  was  an 
auspicious  discussion  for  thcra ;  they  prized  it  highly,  and  hoped  it 
might  continue  till  Nellie's  visit  South  terminated. 

Mr.  M.  entered  just  as  the  family  were  all  seated  in  the  parlor 
after  tea.  ♦ 

"  You  stated  last  eveaing,"  said  Mr.  Thompson   to   Dr.   Pratt, 
"  that  the  Apostles  are,  in  every  case,  careful  not  to  utter  a  fjyllablo 
by  which  they  concede  the  ri(/hf  of  the  Master."     This  opinion  you 
obtain  from  Dr.  Wayland.     I  propose  to  prove,  both  by  the  example 
and   precepts  of  I'aul,  that  Dr.  W.  and  yourself  are  in  error.     1. 
B^  Example.     Onesiraus  was  the  slave  oi"  Philemon,  a  wicked,  dis- 
contented, unprofitable  servant.     He  ran  away  from  his  master,  and 
sought  refuge  in  the  city  of  Rome.     By  some  means  he  attended  the 
{ireachiiig   of  Paul   there,  and  was   converted.     Now  what  was  the 
Apostle  to  do  ?     J4'  Philemon  had  no  right  to  One.siuius,  then   Paul 
was   under   no  obligation   whatever  to  send   him  back.     If  he  sent 
him  back,  knowing  the  muster  had  no  right  to  him,  he  wis  guilty  of 
a  violation  of  the  rights  of  a  fellow-man  ;  he  rvducal  a  free  man  to 
slavery  ;  his  pro  slavery  sentiments  predominated  over  his  sense  of 
justice,      lie   outraged    the    inalienable  rights  of  a   freeman.     His 
master,    perhaps,  knew   nothing  of  his   whereabouts;  it  could  have 
been  well   concealed   from  him.     But  Paul  was  a  minister  of  Jesus 
(yhrist,  and   must  "  teach   all   things  whatsoever  Christ  had  com- 
manded; "  he  must  do  right.     The  once  unprofitable  slave,  now  an 
humble  convert  to  the  teachings  of  the  gospel,  was  penitent  for  hi;i 
past  transgressions.     Being  bought  with  the  blood  of  Christ,  he  must 
now  "glorify  Ilim  in  His  body  and   spirit."     He  now  felt  that  his 
master  had  a  rijhl  to  his  services.     Both  movc(J  by  the  same  purpose 
\.o  obey  God  according  to  Uis  word — the  one  to  show  hid  repentance 
by  worthy  fruits,  and  the  other  to  seek  to  soften  the  pious  heart  of 


NELLIE    NORTON.  175 

nn  outrni^crl  master.  Paul  tells  ©nesimus  he  w'ust  return  to  his 
master;  the  servant  acquiesces  cheerfully.  Whereupon  Paul  writes 
this  masterly  epistle  to  Philemon,  in  which  he  "  makes  a  strong, 
prudent,  pathetic,  affectionate  appeal"  to  him  in  behalf  of  the  slave, 
basing  his  plea  upon  the  repentance  of  the  fugitive. 

Now  Paul  thought  that  the  master  did  or  did  not  have  a  right  to 
this  slave.  W  he  did  not,  then  he  was  no  longer  a  slave,  but  a  free 
man ;  but  if  he  was  free,  then  by  sending  him  back  Paul  reduced 
a  free  man  to  slavery.  This  you  cannot  deny.  But  that  an  inspired 
Apostle  would  thus  violate  the  obligations  of  man  to  man,  we  do 
not  believe.  Then  it  follows  that  the  Apostle  did,  mentally  at  least, 
concede  the  right  of  the  master;  and  animated  by  the  manly  pur- 
pose of  observing  and  enforcing  that  right,  he  sends  home  the  run- 
away. Then,  sir,  you  have  an  apostolic  example,  which  stands  as  a 
perpetual  rebuke  to  all  anti- fugitive  slave  laws,  and  one  by  which 
heaven  daily  speaks  to  you  abolitionists  in  accetts  of  truth,  solemnly 
warning  you  against  your  errors.  Paul's  example  is  as  good  testi- 
mony as  a  precept;  he  stands  forth  as  a  witness  whose  faith  is  proved 
by  his  works." 

"But,  Mr.  Thompson,"  said  the  Doctor,  "You  do  not  mean  to 
say  that  Ouesimus  was  certainly  a  slave  ?  Dr.  Barnes  says  :  *  All 
that  is  necessarily  implied  in  it  is,  that  he  was  in  some  way  the 
servant  of  Philemon,  whethtir  hired  or  bought,  cannot  he  shown.' 
Moreover,  Dr.  Barnes  says  that  the  word  dou/os  denotes  servant  of 
any  kind,  and  it  should  never  be  assumed  that  those  to  whom  it  is 
applied  Were  slaves." 

"  Do  you  endorse  these  views  of  Dr.  Barnes,  Mr.  Pratt?" 

"Why  not?  I  am  sure  he  is  a  ^ery  popular  note  writer  and 
expositor,  and  this  he  could  not  be  if  he  were  not  a  ."»cholar." 

"  Have  you  ever  found  a  single  place  in  Greek  literature  where 
doulos  means  anything  but  a  slave?  I  appeal  to  you  as  a  gentleman, 
and  a.s  a  scholar,  to  answer  me  categorically,  and,  if  you  have,  to 
produce  the  authority,  and  1  will  at  least  agree  that  Dr.  Barnes  may 
be  excused  for  so  absurd  an  as.scrtion."    " 

"  I  have  not,  sir;  but  Dr.  Barnes  may  have  seen  what  I  have  not. 
Our  great  and  good  men  should  never  hazard  opinions,  for  they 
might  lead  others  a«tray.  I  therefore  infer  that  Dr.  Barnes  said  what 
he  knew  to  be  true." 

"  You  may  hove  noticed  it,  as  a  remarkable  fact,  at  least  I  hare, 
that  Dr.  Barnes  makes  no  effort  whatever  to  prove  the  truth  of  many 
of  his  reckless  assertions.     In  this  case,  what  I  have  said  of  him  ia 


176  NELLIE  "NORTOK. 

verified.  You  must  take  hia  ij*sc  dixil,  because  he  is  Dr.  Baruea, 
the  distinguished  note  writer  of  Philadelphia;  it  is  too  great  a  con- 
descension on  his  part  to  stop  to  make  proof;  it  is  presumption  in 
any  one  to  call  iu  (juestion  his  learning  and  veracity.  It  seems  that 
you  have  awarded  to  him  all  he  asked;  you  have  believed  it  because 
he  asserted  it,  but  Paul  has  declared  the  contrary,  on  slavery,  to  be 
true,  in  half  a  dozen  places,  but  you  do  not  believe  him.  Dr.  liurneu 
is  better  authority  with  you  than  Paul.  Great  men,  and  somctimeK 
a  man  who  has  some  reputation  for  ^oodne.sti,  may  become  reckless 
in  their  declarations;  especially  is  this  true  when  endeavoring  to 
build  up  a  favorite  dogma,  and  if  they  do  not  err  intentionally  they 
may  in  judgment,  so  that  our  only  safety  is  to  form  our  own  conclu 
iiions  from  a  lair,  candid,  impartial  and  thorough  investigation  i'or 
ourselves.  All  men  are  fallible  in  judgment,  and  all  writers  have 
Bome  preconceived  opinions  which  bias  their  minds,  and  lead  far 
towards  forming  the  conclusions  at  which  they  arrive.  Dr.  Barnes' 
assertion  is  simply  the  result  of  this  preconceived  prejudice  against 
slavery.  He,  perhapg,  believes  what  he  says;  he  may  be  honest.  I 
would  not  judge  him  harshly  ;  but  it  is  certainly  strange  that,  coming 
in  conflict  with  the  almost  universally  expressed  opinion  of  the 
learned  and  wise,  he  leaves  his  bare  statement  to.  stand  solitary  and 
alone,  without  a  word  of  testimony  to  prove  it.  It  is  not  strange 
that  he  did  not  produce  proof;  thi.s  he  could  not  do,  but  it  is  strange 
that  he  made  the  declaration.  JJut  with  abolitionists,  he  stands 
uuimpeached  and  unimpeachable,  and  this  is  all  he  desires.  Now 
let  us  put  in  proof  the  opinions  ol"  learned  nitn,  none  of  whom  are 
slaveholders,  but  some,  and  perhaps  most  of  whom,  are  or  were  abo- 
litionists, and  see  whether  ^r.  Barnes'  opinion  of  Onesimus  are 
current  among  the  learned.  He  says:  "All  that  is  necessarily 
implied  iu  it  Qloulos)  is  that  he  was  in  some  way  the  servant  of 
Philemon,  whether  hired  or  houijht  cuimot  be  shown."  On  the  other 
hand,  Coneybcare  and  Howson,  Englishmen,  and  doubtless  abolition- 
ists, but  ab  scholars  say,  "  the  fuj^tive  Asiatic  slave  Onesimus."  In 
speaking  of  the  right  of  Philemon  to  his  slave,  they  say  of  Paul : 
"  He  would  not  transgress  the  law,  nor  violate  the  rightsof  Philemon 
by  acting  in  this  matter  without  his  consent." 

Bloomfield  says  :  "  Slave  Onesimus  had  absconded,  and  having 
come  to  Rome,  had  been  converted  to  the  christian  faith  and  bap- 
tized by  Paul.  In  order  to  repair  the  injury  done  j,o  his  master,  he 
was  anxious  to  return  to  him,  and  Paul  wrote  this  letter  to  entreat 
Philemon  to  pardon  his  ofTouse." 


NELLIE    NORTON.  177 

McKnight  says  :  "  Onesimus,  a  slave,  having  run  away  from  his' 
master,"  after  his  conversion  ?'  being  sensible  of  his  fault  in  running 
away,  wished  to  repair  that  injury  by  returning  to  him." 

Dr.  Clark  says  :  '"  Onesimus,  a  slave,  had,  on  some  pretence,  run 
away  from  his  master,  &c." 

Dr.  Scott  says  :  "  Onesimus,  a  slave  of  Philemon,  Paul  judged 
it  proper  to  send  him  back  to  his  master." 

These  proofs  are  sufficient  to  show  the  presump'tion  of  Dr.  Barnes 
in  asserting  as  not  true  the  universal  opiDioD  of  great  and  learned 
men,  without  giving  his  reasons. 

Now,  sir,  thers  is  another  fact  which  I  wish  you  to  notice  in  this 
epistle,  which  contrasts  as  strangely  with  the  feelings  and  customs  of 
the  North  as  do  the  Bible  and  abolitionism.  I  refer  to  the  tender 
aftection  and  christian  fellowship  expressed  by  the  Apostle  for  slave- 
holders. I  say  this  stands  i  a  singular  contrast  with  Northern  feeling 
and  custom.     Let  me  proceed,  very  briefly,  to  exhibit  this  difference. 

Your  Dr.  Barnes,  in  his  "  Church  and  Slavery,"  says  :  "  Is  the 
vohmtari/  burning  of  a  few  widows  on  the  funeral  pile,  cither  as  an 
obstruction  to  the  gospel,  or  as  actual  wromj,  to  be  compared  with 
this  (slavery)  system  ?  Is  the  swinging  on  hooks,  or  the  painful 
torture  of  the  bodj  in  Hindoo  devotion,  an  obstruction  to  the  gospel 
at  all  to  be  compared  in  extent,  or  in  enormity,  with  American 
slavery  ?  " 

Christ  says  of  a  slaveholder  :  "  I  have  not  found,  so  great  faith, 
no  not  in  Israel." 

Paul,  under  inspiration,  says  of  a  slaveholder :  "Hearing  of  thy 
love  and  faith  which  thou  hast  towards  the  Lord  and  toward  all  saints, 
that  the  communication  of  thy  faith  may  be  effectual  by  the  acknow- 
ledging of  every  good  thing  which  is  in  you  in  Christ  Jesus.  For 
we  have  great  joy  and  consolation  in  thy  love,  because  the  bowels  of 
the  saints  are  refreshed  by  the  brother." 

Here  is  a  brief  contrast ;  it  might  be  greatly  enlarged,  but  this  is 
enough  for  the  present. 

I  have  frequently  alluded  to  the  infidel  tendencies  of  abolitionism. 
I  will  quote  only  two  extracts  in  confirmation  of  what  I  have  said. 
Dr.  Barnes,  in  the  work  just  alluded  to,  says  :  "  We  must  give  up 
the  point  that  the  New  Testament  defends  slavery,  or  we  must  give 
up  a  very  large — and  an  increasingly  large — portion  of  the  people  of 
this  laud  to  infidelity  ;  for  they  neither  can,  nor  ohjht  to  be  con- 
vinced that  a  book  which  .sanctions  slavery  is  from  God.  I  believe 
that  this  must  and  should  be.  so,  and  that  there  are  great  principles  in 
W 


178  XELLIK   NORTON. 

our  nature,  as  God  has  made  us,  \rhich  can  nerer  be  set  aside  hy  ant/ 
atUhorili/  of  a  predndid  rtvdatutn  ;  and  that  if  a  book  professing  to 
be  a  revelation  from  God,  by  any  fair  interpretation,  delended 
slavery,  or  placed  it  on  the  same  ba^is  va  the  relation  of  husband  and 
wife,  parent  and  eliild,  guardian  and  ward,  such  a  bouk  ueither 
uxjujht  to  be,  nor  could  be,  received  by  mankind  xs  a  divine  revela- 
tion." How  strangely  this  souuds  from  the  lips  of  one  who  has 
Written  an  exposfiiun  o^  the^^e  words :  ♦'  Let  as  many  servants 
(slaves)  as  are  under  the  yoke  count  their  own  maBlers  worthy  of  all 
honor,  that  the  name  of  (lod  and  his  doctrine  be  not  blasphemed." 
Thia  is  not  the  <jcrm  o^  inlidelity ;  it  is  ita  first  fruit.  It  is  not 
distilled  aa  the  gentle  dew  ;  it  is  a  bold  stream  from  an  impure  foun- 
tain. It  irt  not  a  hasty  expression  uttered  i'rom  .the  impulse  of  the 
moment  by  au  excited  debatant  j  it  i.s  the  calm,  deliberate  language 
of  au  aged  man  in  his  stuily,  writing  oa  serious  and  i^olemn  subjects. 
J(  is  the  funiral  hwU  uj  a  pure  chi*iitiaiiity  in  (ihulilionuom. 

My  other  extract  shall  be  from  Mr.  Wrijrht,  taken  froiu  his  speech 
before  the  anti-slavery  society  in  Boston  in  1850.  It  should  be  borne 
in  mind  that  his  auditory  was  composed  largely  of  professed  ehris- 
tians,  whose  sentiments,  we  may  presume,  werQ  reflected  b}'  the 
speaker.  Here  is  a  specimen  of  Mr.  Wright's  piety  :  *'  Down  with 
your  Bible  I  down  with  your  political  parties  I  down,  down  with  your 
G<jd  that  sanctions  slavery  1  The  God  of  >loseH  .Stewart,  the  Ando- 
ver  God,  the  GikI  of  Wm.  II.  Jic>ger3,  which  is  worshipped  in  the 
Winter  street  (Church,  is  a  monster,  composed  of  oppre.»<sion,  fraud, 
injustice,  pollution,  and  every  crime  in  the  8haj)e  of 'slavery.  To 
such  a  God,  1  am  an  Atheist  I  " 

Voudo  not  fail  to  discover  in  both  these  extracts  that  tlieir  author.n 
would  not  hesitate  to  give  up  the  Bible  for  abolitionism.  The  decisiou 
is  already  made  and  ].roclaimed.  The  iutidolify  is  deep  rooted  and 
incunible.  Mr.  Wright,  I  presume,  would  be  glud  of  an  excuse  to 
abandon  the  Bible,  and  to  blaspheme  its  blessed  Author.  Dr.  Barnes 
has  Koiiie  jjiide  of  ojjinion  on  tlie  subject,  having  been  committed  to 
its  advocacy  previous  to  the  present  excited  state  of  the  controversy 
on  slavery;  he  is,  however,  evidently  preparing  the  way  for  a  public 
ubandonraeut  of  the  Divine  Revelation,  if  it  can  be  prove»  to  teach 
slavery. 

"  Such  loaders — and  these  are  representative  characters — will  soon- 
carry  a  people  into  the  deepest,  darkest  depths  of  infidelity.  Its 
black  shades  are  already  gathering  around  you  ;  its  midnight  dark- 
ness will  soon  enshroud  you.     This  angel  of  the  world  of  woe,  this 


NKLLIE   JTORTON-.  1?9 

tltstl-oying  enemy  of  individuals  and  nations,  that  inaugurated  the 
reign  of  terror  and  baptized  France  in  a  river  of  blood,  is  making 
fearful  iaroads  at  the  North.  Having  stolen  the  livery  of  heaven, 
he  has  ascended  your  pulpits ;  he  occupies  your  theological  chairs  ; 
he  has  gainxid  high  official  positions  in  your  Churches ;  he  teaches  in 
your  Sabbath  Schools )  be  prints  books  and  newspapers,  professedly 
religious  ;  in  a  word,  he  occupies  all  the  positions  of  moral  influence 
in  your  Country,  and  he  touches  nothing  that  does  not  retain  his 
baneful  sentiments.  He  has  not  yet  avowed  his  rejection  of  the 
Bible ;  he  will  not,  he  dare  not  at  once  and  suddenly  unmask  him- 
self; it  would  frustrate  his  designs.  He  begins  with  a  denial  that  it 
teaches  certain  truths  which  arc  patent  to  the  most  superficial  reader, 
and  then  asserts  that  if  it  did  teach  these  obvious  truths,  it  would, 
and  ought  to  be,  rejected.  This  subtle  form  of  infidelity  is  the 
general  helper  of  the  clergy.  He  furnishes  them  with  pathetic 
appeals  founded  on  fiction,  but  addrcT^sed  as  truth  to  human  sympa- 
thies. He  casts  the  drapery  of  eloquence  and  plausibility  over  the 
deformity  -of  his  own  principles  to  conceal  them  from  the  public  eye. 
*  Whose  coming  is  after  the  working  of  Satan,  with  all  power  and 
signs,  and  lying  wonders,  and  with  all  deccivableness  of  unrighteous- 
ness in  them  that  perish,  because  they  received  not  the  love  of  the 
truth.' 

"  You  may  think  (Jiis  is  gasconade,  but  I  assure  you,  Poctor,  the 
subject  i.s  one  of  deep  and  momentous  seriousness.  New  England 
jjave  me  birth  ;  around  its  scenes,  hallowed  in  metnory,  all  my  early 
recollections  cling  with  undying  fondtiess.  It  is  the  home  of  many 
loved  ones,  who  are  bone  of  my  bone  and  flesh  of  my  flesh.  I  could 
never  boast  over  the  moral  or  religious  fail  of  any  people,  much  less 
the  lan<l  of  my  fathers.  T  say  with  painful  apprehensions  and 
unfeigned  «orrow,  that  without  a  reform  in  the  views  of  your  leading 
men,  yoH  Are  as  certain  to  become  an  infidel  people  as  that  Theodore 
I'arker  has  rejected  the  liible.  The  same  reason  that  Jed  him  into 
infidelity,  wi<l  make  the  rcH  so,  viz  :  because  the  ]]ible  is  a  pro- 
slavery  book. 

"  But  I  hnve  suffered  myself  to  be  so  absorbed  in  the  thought  of 
your  danger,  that  1  had  almost  forgotten  to  return  to  the  mnfrasf. 

"  Northern  Christiang  and  Churches  have  declared  a  non-fellow- 
ship with  Southern  Christians  and  Churches,  on  account  of  slavery. 
Our  most  able  and  godly  men  sometimes  spend  their  sumraera  in  New 
England.  They  arc  almost  universally  excluded  from  your  pulpits 
and  communioa  tables.     I  do  not  complain  of  it,  because  I  think  it 


180  NELLIE   NORroX. 

would  be  c!»tecined  as  a  special  benefit,  privilege,  or  comfort,  to  com- 
mune with  a  semi-infidel  people,  but  sitiiply  to  show  how  different 
your  treatment  of  slave-holders  is  to  that  which  they  recei^'ed  at  the 
hands  of  the  Apostles. 

"The  Apostles  received  slave-holders  into  the  Churches.     They 
gave  them  special  instruction  bow  to  treat  their  slaves,  but  uttered 
not  a  sinjrle  word  about  eniancipatinp:  them.     Paul  .'■ays  to  the  slave- 
holders— who  were  members  of  the  Churches — in   Ephe.sfls :  'And 
ye  masters,  do  the  same  thing  unto  them,  forbearing,  threatening, 
knowing  that  your  master  also  is  in  heaven  ;   neither  is  there  respect 
of  persons    with   him.'     Now,   who  were  the.se  masters?     Turn  to 
the   address    in  the    Epistle   i:   1.    'To   the   faints  which   are   at 
Ephesus,  and  to  the  faithful  in  Christ  Jesus.'     In  verse  15,  the 
Apostle  say.s  :  '  After  I  heard  of  your  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  and 
love  unto  all  the  saints/     In  verse  19  of  vi.  chapter  he  requests 
them  to  pray  for  him.     Note  how  affectionately  Paul  writes  to  these 
slaveholders,  how  much  love  he  bears  to  them,  how  much  Christian 
confidence   and    fellowship  he   expresses   for  them,  whcji  he  says: 
'  Pray  for  me.'     In  the  4th  chapter  he  gives  much  advice,  rebukes 
many  sins,  and  warns  them  against  many  evils  which  he  mentions, 
but  never  once  alludes  to  slavery  as  one  of  them,     I  here  repeat, 
'what  I  have  before  said,  that  in  the  long  catalogue  of  sins  denounced 
in  the  whole  liible,  slavery  is  not  mentioned  #mong  them  once.     / 
challenge  the  Abdiitimi   frntemiti/  uf  the  icorld  to  show  one  single 
sentiment  in  this  Divine  Book  of  morals  and  religion,  given  to  ua 
by  a  sinless  and  infinitely  wise,  just  and  holy  God,  which  by  any 
fair  and  legitimate  construction,  can  be  made  to  condemn  slavery. 
'  It  is  God  that  justifieth,  who  is  he  that  oonderanetl>  ?'     Again,  in 
speaking  of  the  spiritual  union  which  existed  between  these  slave- 
holding  Christians  and  their  Savinr,  Paul  say.s  :  '  We  (i.  e.,  himself 
and  they)  are  members  of  his  body,  of  his  flesh,  and  of  his  bones.' 
In  the  days  of  Paul,  slave-holders  were  united  to  Christ,  but  in  Dr. 
Barnes'  day  they  are  too  bad  to  be  members  of  his  mystical  body. 
Then  they  were  'beloved  in  Christ   Jesus,'     Now  they  are  worse 
than  the  heathen  who  *  burn  the  widows  on  the  funeral  pile.'     Then 
they  were  'dearly  beloved.'     Now  they  are  excluded  as  unworthy  of 
a  place  in  the  catalogue  with  those  cruel  barbarians  who,  in  their 
idolatrous  devotion,  'swing  on  hooks,'  or  inflict  other  '  painful  torture 
on  the  body.'     Then  ihcy  were  '  fellow-helpers  of  the  truth.'     Now 
it  is  asked,  '  What  would  be  the  advantage  of  substituting  a  religion 
where   such   views   and    purposes    (as   slave-holders  entertain)  are 


NELLIE   NORTON.  181 

avowed,  for  those  systems  which  now  actually  prevail  in  heathen 
lands.'  Then  slave-holders  were  entrusted  with  high  official  positions 
in  the  Churches.  Now,  Dr.  Barnes  says  '  the  duellist,  the  horse- 
racer,  the  bull-fighter,  should  be  left  unrebuked  till  slavery  is 
anathematized  !  Christ  said  :  '  I  have  not  found  so  great  faith,  no 
not  in  Israel,'  as  was  exercised  by  the  centurian  slaveholder.  Now, 
Dr.  B.  says  '  he  is  guilty  of  an  enormous  system  of  injustice  and 
wrong.'  Now  if  Christ  and  Paul  recognized  them  by  such  endear- 
ing appellations  ;  if  they  committed  such  high  and  holy  trusts  to 
(hem  ;  if  the  Apostle  accepted  them  as  '  co-laborers,  fellow-helpers,* 
why  should  not  you?  Have  you  discovered  wrong  which  Jesus 
overlooked,  or  are  you  purer,  better,  more  "separate  from  sinners  " 
than  He  ?  Is  slavery  more  sinful  now  than  then  ;  has  moral  odium 
attached  to  it  since  those  days  ?  If  so,  by  whom  ?  From  what 
source  do  you  derive  your  information  ?  What  book  have  you 
accepted  as  your  code  of  morals  and  religioh  on  this  subject?  Have 
you,  like  Joe  Smith,  found  a  new  revelation,  which  says  that  slavery 
is  wrong,  the  'sum  of  all  villainies,'  that  you  must  withdraw  from 
slaveholders  all  religious  and  moral  fellowship,  and  denounce  them 
and  the  institution  ?  Oh  yes;  you  have  found  the  revelation!  Not 
under  a  rock,  where  Joe  Smith  found  his,  but  it  came  like  Minerva  : 
it  was  the  offspring  of  a  brain,  not  that  of  Jupiter,  no  nor  of  any  of 
the  gods,  but  of  those  'whom  the  gods  would  destroy.'  "Were  Paul 
here,  he  would  not  accept  it  as  coming  from  above ;  he  would  call  it 
'another  gospel,'  and  say  of  him  that  preached  it,  'let  him  be 
accursed.' 

"  Paul,  in  writing  to  his  two  young  brethren  in  the  ministry,  is 
not  silent  on  the  all-abRorbing  topic  of  slavery.  But  what  are  his 
instructions  to  them?  Did  he  say  exclude  slaveholders  from  any 
participation  in  the  privileges  of  the  Churches  ?  Did  he  tell  them 
to  have  no  fellow.ship  with  such  ?  This  would  have  been  your 
advice  ;  Dr.  Barnes  would  have  said  so.  But  Paul  did  not;  for  this 
would  have  condemned  his  own  practice.  His  position  is  ju<t  the 
reverse  of  yours  and  Dr.  B.'s.  He  advises  slave-holders  to  '  with- 
draw from '  (have  no  fellowship  with)  Abolitionists,  Do  you  doubt 
it?  Do  you  demand  proof?  Then  you  shall  have  it?  He  instructs 
Timothy  as  follows :  '  Let  as  many  slaves  (douloi)  as  are  under  the 
yoke,  count  their  own  masters  worthy  of  all  honor,  that  the  name  of 
God  and  his  doctrine  be  not  blasphemed  :  and  they  that  have 
believing  masters,  let  them  not  despise  them,  because  they  are 
brethren,  but  rather  do  them  service,  because  they  are  faithful  and 


182  NELLIB   NORTON. 

beloved,  partakers  of  the  benefit.  Thmc  things  leach  and  cjrkori. 
If  any  man  /f«<7i  OTHKRWISE,  and  consent  not  to  wholesome  words, 
even  the  words  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  the  doctrine  which 
is  according  to  godliness.  .  .  .  From  such  icithiiraw  thi/se//.'* 
No  sane  man  can  give  any  other  construction  to  this  scripture,  than 
that  it  ttac/ifs  slaves  (n  obry  their  tnastrrs  a.s  a  rtUginus  dafi/.  To 
enforce  this  duty  by  'teaching  and  exhortation'  is  to  'consent  to 
flound  words,  even  the  words  of  the  I^ord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to 
the  doctrine  which  is  according  to  godlines.s.'  Hut  who  '  teaches 
otherwise' '!  You,  Dr.  Pratt,  and  your  co-laborers,  who  are  endrav- 
orin"-  to  inculoato  a  wide-spread  spirit  of  insubordination  among  the 
slaves  of  the  South.  That  you  do  not,  that  you  cannot,  that  you 
ilare  not,  encourage  slaves  to  obey  their  masters  from  obligations  of 
moral  right,  is  too  apparent  to  require  proof.  An  Abolitionist  can 
no  more  do  so,  than  an  Atheist  can  preach  the  go.spel  of  Christ. 
Vou  'consent'  to  it?  -No,  sir,  you  oppose  it  with  all  your  mental 
and  moral  influence.  Then  what  is  our  duty  ?  What  does  God 
rxinirc  of  us  1*  He  gives  us  no  discretion  in  the  matter ;  it  is  a 
positive  injunction  and  imperative  command,  '  From  sttrh  uithilraw 
thi/sel/.'  This  command  is  from  the  '  King  Eternal,  Immortal, 
Invisible,  the  only  wise  God/  Can  we,  dare  we  disobey  Him?  We 
have  dared  to  do  so ;  too  long  havo  we  '  leaned  to  mercy's  side;  '  and 
as  a  punishment  for  it,  Providence  has  brought  us  into  reproach 
among  you,  that  we  may  be  drinn  out,  as  were  the  Israelites  from 
Iv'Ypt.  Had  we  (iflfected  a  separation,  moral,  religious,  social  and 
political,  twenty-five  years  ago,  the  South  would  now  have  been  the 
greatest  nation  in  the  world,  as  it  is  destined  to  be  at  some  future 
day  if  we  are  but  true  to  our  God  and  to  ourselves.  When  the  laht 
link  that  binds  us  to  the  North  is  broken,  when  the  last  Southern 
star  shall  be  plucked  from  your  national  galaxy,  and  slavery  and  the 
South  left  to  the  destiny  marked  out  for  them  by  the  Hand  which 
guides  the  universe,  her  career,  undor  Providenco,  will  revolutionise 
the  morbid  sensibilities  of  the  world  on  the  moral  validity  of  slavery. 
The  world  is  wrong,  and  the  South  must  set  it  right;  the  world  is  in 
error,  and  is  dcjMjndciit  upon  the  South  for  '  the  truth,  the  whole 
truth,!  uumixed'tvith  the  alloy  of  mistaken  and  misguided  humanity. 
When  left  to  herself,  her  prosperity  will  be  without  a  parallel.  Her 
moral  and  religious,  her  social  and  educational  interest  will  outstrip, 
in  their  advancement,  any  national  progress  known  to  history.  She 
possesses  greater  undeveloped  resources  of  mind  and  material  than 
any  nation  upon  earth.     The  development  of  these  elements  of  a 


NELLIE  NORTON".  183 

great  nation  has  been  kept  in  abeyance  by  our  continued  union  with 
a  people  to  whom  we  have  tamely  yielded  the  monopolies  of  the 
government.       ; 

*'  You  have  cried  *  give,  give,'  and  we  have  given,  till,  as  a  cHild 
spoiled  by  over-indulgence,  there  is  no  possibility  of  satisfying  "^ou. 
You  have  organized  a  powerful  system  of  opposition  to  our  peculiar 
institution,  and  many  among  us  have  timidly  asked  if  we  were  not 
wrong,  while  they  hesitated  to  go  forward.  A  few  of  our  politicians 
have  pursued  a  temporizing  policy.  The  same  spirit  has  naturally 
affected  the  educational  and  religious  interests  of  the  South.  But 
few  have  had  the  courage  and  disposition  to  go  to  the  Fountain  of 
Light — but  few  have  searched  the  scriptures.  The  njasscs  did  not 
know  of  the  rich  legacy  bequeathed  to  us  in  our  Father's  will,  and 
therefore  but  few  have  had  the  moral  fortitude  to  come  out  boldly 
against  the  reiterated  sentence  of  condemnation  passed  upon  us  by 
the  civilized  world,  and  to  plant  themselves  upon  the  Divine  founda- 
tion and  jusfif}/  the77iselves.  We  have  stultified  ourselves  by  the 
vacillating  policy  of  the  past.  Henceforth  we  will  repel,  with  the 
sword  of  Truth,  every  attack  made  upon  us  by  Abolitionists.  Suf- 
ficiently long  have  you  fettered  us,  and  hindered  our  national  pro- 
gress. The  deceitful  Delilah  has  betrayed  her  Samson,  till  hia 
spirit  is  aroused — he  will  arise  in  his  might  and  shake  himself;  then 
may  the  Philistines  begin  to  tremble.  But  we  can  never  prosper 
without  the  Divine  benediction  ;  this  we  cannot  obtain  till  we  obey 
the  inspired  injunctiofi,  '  From  such  withdraw  thyself.'  This  we 
will  soon  do.  Like  Pharaoh,  you  are  doubling  our  tasks  and  increas- 
ing our  burdens;  you  are  galling  our  necks  under  the  yoke.  We 
have  borne  the  burdens  patiently ;  we  have  seemed  to  love  our 
bondage;  you  thought  we  did,  or  that  our  tame,  unmanly  spirits 
would  continue  to  bear  as  the  ox  the  chafing  load.  But  not  so; 
soon  will  the  cry  go  up  to  heaven,  and  the  God  of  Moses  will  bring 
deliverance  in  that  day.  l^haraoh  had  his  Moses,  George  the  Third 
his  Washington,  and  those  who  would  attempt  to  interpose  between 
God  and  the  fulfilment  of  his  command,  when  we  shall  '  withdraw 
from  you,'  <  may  profit  by  their  example.'  It  will  be  done;  it  mutit 
be  done,  for  heaven  has  decreed  it.  God  has  commanded,  who  shall 
annul  'f 

How  strange,  then,  that  abolitionists  should  say  to  slaveholders, 
"you  shall  not  preach  in  our  pulpits,  nor  sit  at  our  communiontables; 
we  have  no  fraternity  with  you,  stand  aside,  we  are  holier  than 
thou  I"    Why,  sir,  you  are  reversing  heaven's  order.     Your  practice 


] 


184  NELLIE   NORTON. 

and  presumption,  pardon  the  expression,  in  this  respect,  as  in  many 
others,  have  placed  you  quite  in  advance  of  God's  instruction.  You 
have  done  a  work  of  supererogation.  Who  hath  required  this  at 
yoifr  hinds?  But  it  is  well.  God  intended  there  should  be  no 
coniVaternity  between  us,  and  as  we  would  not  sever  the  tie,  He  has 
permitted  you  to  do  it.  The  disciples  could  never  have  crucified 
their  Lord,  that  they  might  obtain  life  through  His  death.  His 
enemies  were  to  do  this.  The  generous  South  felt  it  was  selfish  to 
sunder  a  bond  which  would  benefit  them,  but  ruin  you.  You  have 
.spared  them  this  paiu.  We  have  obeyed  you  when  you  .'■aid,  '•  stand 
aside,  for  we  are  holier  than  thou." 
V  "We  are  nut  alone  in  this  view,"  .';aid  Mr.  Tratt.  ''The  civilized 
world  is  oppoi^ed  to  you.  The  good  and  wise  of  every  land  are  against 
slavery  and  the  South.  England,  France,  Germany,  and  indeed 
wherever  letters,  religion  and  civilization  have  gone,  slavery  has 
been  frowned  upon.  You  stand  isolated  and  alone,  with  the  world 
against  you.  Not  a  voice  is  raised  in  your  behalf,  save  by  Spain. 
And  yet  you  say  we  are  wrong  and  you  are  right.  Can  all  the  rest 
of  mankind  be  wrong  and  you  alone  right  ?  Can  so  many  good  and 
wise  men  of  earth  be  blind  to  the  truth  ?  Do  not  people  possess 
sufficient  penetration  and  research  to  discover  truth,  but  you  slave- 
holders ?  The  proposition  is  preposterous  and  presumptuous.  But 
you  are  too  bigoted  in  your  own  view.**,  and  too  deeply  interested  to 
listen  to  rea.son.  The  universal  voice  of  mankind  is  enough,  it  would 
seen),  to  convince  you.  But  you  say,  that  voice  is  untrue.  *  How, 
then,  can  we  convince  you?  *  In  the  multitude  of  counselors  there  is 
eaf<ny,'  says  Solomon.  We  present  a  multitude,  indeed ;  but  you 
refuse  to  hear  us.  I  will  therefore  simply  announce  to  you  a  fact, 
whic^h  you  are  at  liberty  to  believe  or  not  as  you  may  see  proper  ;  it 
is  this  :  Slavery  is  (loomed.  Sooner  or  later  it  will  be  numbered 
among  the  extinct  relics  of  a  past  barbarism.  It  cannot  always  stand 
before  the  intelligent  and  moral  frown  of  Christendom." 

'•Slavery,"  said  jMr.  Thomp.sou,  "is  not  the  only  subject  upon' 
which  majorities  agree  in  their  opposition.  England  and  France, 
and  most  of  the  nations  of  the  world,  agree  most  heartily  in  opposing 
republics.  Are  they,  therofore,  wrong  ?  An  overwhelming  majority 
of  the  so-called  christian  world  is  opposed  to  protestantism  ;  Ls  it 
therefore  wrong?  Nine-tenths  of  the  world  is  opposed  to  Christian- 
ity ;  but  is  Christianity  therefore  wrong  ?  The  multitude  cried,  away 
with  Uim,  crucify  Him,  crucify  Him  !  Were  the  multitude  there- 
fore right,  and  ought  Christ  to  have  been  crucified  simply  because 


NELLIE   NORTON.  185 

they  all  united  in  this  cry  ?  Bring  the  religion  of  the  Bible,  which 
is  the  foundation  of  the  righteous,  to  your  test.  There  are  eleven  or 
twelve  hundred  million  inhabitants  on  the  earth  ;  out  of  that  number 
there  are  not  more  than  twelve  million  of  christians,  or  one  in  one 
hundred  who  receive  the  Bible  as  a  revelation  from  God.  Is  the 
Bible  therefore  a  fable  because  not  accepted  by  so  large  a  majority? 
There  are  seven  or  eight  hundred  million  of  idolaters  in  the  world, 
largely  more  than  half  t^e  human  family;  is  idolatry  therefore  right? 
In  our  own  land,  where  we  boast  of  our  civilization  and  Christianity, 
there  are  not  more  than  one  in  eight  who  practically  accepts  the 
Bible ;  then  is  that  v7ie  wrong  because  the  eight  are  practically 
against  him  ?  The  multitude  is  not  to  be  in.plicitly  trusted  on  moral 
subjects ;  their  examinations  and  investigations  are  generally  very 
superficial,  and  their  conclusions  often  erroneous.  In  truths  revealed 
by  heaven,  every  man  is  responsible  for  the  formation  of  his  own 
opinion,  unbiased  by  what  others  may  say  or  believe.  "  To  the  law 
and  to  the  testimony  "  should  and  must  be  the  motto  of  every  wind. 
The  opinions  of  the  North,  of  England,  France  and  Germany  in 
opposition  to  slavery,  do  not  alter  or  effect  the  teachings  of  the  Bible 
on  this  subject.  The  Bible  is  a  pro-slavery  Bible,  and  God  is  a 
pro-slavery  God,  notwithstanding  all  you  say  to  the  contrary.  We 
judge  for  ourselves — it  is  our  duty  to  do  so — we  are  responsible  to 
God  for  the  Opinions  we  thus  form,  and  before  high  heaven  we  are 
solemnly  and  conscientiously  convinced  that  slavery  is  of  Him,  and 
therefore  right.  If  right,  it  is  not  doonied;  for  if  God  be  for  us, 
who  can  be  against  us  ?  Its  battles  are  God's,  its  victories  will  be 
His,  for  He  will  defend  it  from  all  the  rude  attacks  of  infidelity, 
whether  from  pseudo-christians  or  outspoken  infidels.  The  battle  is 
not  to  the  strong  ;  victory  bclongeth  unto  the  Lord.  But  if  you  are 
so  confident  the  institution  will  be  destroyed,  why  not  take  the 
advice  which  the  learned  Gamaliel  gave  to  the  council  of  the  Jews? 
"  llefrain  from  these  men,  and  let  them  alone  ;  for  if  this  counsel 
or  this  work  be  of  men,  it  will  come  to  nought;  but  if  it  be  of 
God,  ye  cannot  overthrow  it,  lest  haply  ye  be  found  tojfight  against 
God."  You  maybe  convinced  once  for  all.  Doctor,  that  "railing 
accusations,"  abusive  words,  bitter  denunciations,  vain  glorious  boast- 
ing, and  all  that  class  of  weapons,  so  popular  at  the  North,  will  never 
affect  the  Southern  mind,  unless  it  be  to  awaken  contempt  for  fhose 
who  attempt  to  carry  their  point  by  such  puerile  methods.  You 
might  shame  a  child  out  of  doing  what  was  right,  if  you  were  so  dis- 
posed ;  sarcasm  and  ridicule  may  so  affect  a  simple,  minded  person 
X 


186  XELLIK    NORTON. 

that  he  may  swerve  fnmi  a  pocni  purpose,  but  you  must  understand 
that  we  are  neither  children  nor  simpletons,  but  men  who  know  the 
right  and  dare  practice  and  defend  it,  indifferent  as  to  the  cost  or 
consequences.  David  says :  "  When  mine  enemies  and  my  foes 
came  upon  me  to  eat  up  my  flesh,  they  .'^tumbled  and  fell."  So  it 
will  be  with  the  enemies  of  slavery.  Take  one  example  across  the 
water.  You  are  aware  that  Uishop  Colenso,  of  the  English  Epis- 
copal Church,  has  is.sued  a  volume  denying  the  authenticity  and  inspi- 
ration of  the  Pentateuch.  In  the  preface  to  that  treatise  he  acquaints 
us  with  the  steps  by  which  he  was  led  to  embrace  the  skeptical  views 
embodied  in  it.  Not  the  least  of  the^e  steps  was  the  fact  that  he 
found  llebrew  slavery  inconsistent  with  his  nmse  o/  Jiutire.  There 
is  nothing  surprising  in  this.  The  Scriptures  give  no  countenance 
to  the  huu\anitarian  views  of  the  age ;  and  where  these  tendencies 
are  mistaken  lor  "  in.stincts  of  piety,"  the  Scriptures  must  be  repu- 
diated. When  anti-slaveryism  looks  at  Judea  in  the  times- of  the 
fathers,  with  the  eyes  which  have  so  long  scowled  on  the  South  in 
our  times,  the  result  is  avowed  (or  at  least  palpable)  infidelity.  The 
infidelity  does  not  then  come  into  being;  it  simply  drops  its  mask. 
The  downfall  of  a  people  may  be  dated  from  the  time  they  repu- 
diate truth  ;  this  you  have  done  ;  your  blows  against  the  South  will 
therefore  be  like  those  of  a  man  growing  weaker  every  moment  of 
his  conflict,  by  the  loss  of  blood,  until  his  strokes  are  -scarcely  fel^. 
On  the  other  hand,  "  righteousness  exulteth  a  nation,"  as  we  adhere 
to  truth  our  strength  will  increase,  and  wo  will  become  stronger  and 
stronger  in  the  never-failing  power  of  the  Omnipotent  One.  Slavery 
is  "doomed"  whenever  the  Bible  is  destroyed  and  God  dethroned, 
not  before,  for  here  is  his  louudation.  liut  1  had  like  to  have  forgot- 
ten to  give  you  the  inspired  precept  recognizing  the  master's  right 
in  his  slave.  But  this  I  must  postpone  for  the  present,  for  1  see 
Nellie  is  gaping.  To-morrow  is  Christmas.  1  believe,  Doctor,  you 
have  been  invited  by  my  servants  to  preach  to  them  in  the  afternoon. 
Mr.  Mortimer,  3'ou  must  come  over  and  take  a  Christmas  dinner  with 
U8.  The  fatted  calf  has  been  killed,  and  we  are  going  to  have  a 
general  feaf^t.  'J'he  unusual  industry  and  fidelity  of  my  servants 
entitle  them  to  an  extra  entertainment,  which  I  have  promised  to 
them  "  Mr.  Mortimer  promised  to  return  again  to-morrow,  and  the 
party  all  retired  to  their  rooms. 


NELLIE   NORTON.  187 


CHAPTER  XV. 

What  Dr.  Pratl  Heard  and  his  Reflections  thereon— Christmas 
Presents — Negro  Plays-^ — Miss  Murray's  Sentiments — Dr.  Pratt's 
Sermon  and  its  Consequences. 

After  retiring  to  his  room,  Dr.  Pratt  listened  for  some  time  to  the 
hymns  and  prayers  of  the  servants,  who  had  congregated  for  that 
purpose  at  one  of  their  houses.  There  was  a  pathos  and  fervor 
about  these  eyercises  that  were  to  the  Doctor  very  remarkable,  and 
what  seemed  strange  to  their  distant  listener  was,  that  they  did  not 
grow  weary  in  well  doing ;  for  at  midnight,  when  all  the  family 
were  sleeping  scundly,  these  pious  negro  chants  broke  upon  the  still 
air  with  unwonted  melody  and  freshness.  "  And  these  are  the 
oppressed,  and  down-trodden,  the  miserable  and  hopeless  slaves  of 
Southern  tyranny,"  vSoliloquisQ^  the  Doctor  as  he  closed  his  window 
to  the  sound.  That  there  is  piety  and  fervor  of  heart  in  these  nc^roes 
even  a  sceptic  could  not  deny.  To  say  they  are  not  happy  would  be 
a  positive  slander  upon  them.  How  favorably  their  condition  con- 
trasts with  their  wild,  uncivilized  brethren  across  the  water!  What 
a-blessing  that  they  were  taught  a  Savior's  name!  But  if  they  are 
80  pious  aod  happy  in  slavery,  how  much  more  so  would  they  be  if 
in  the  enjoyment  of  freedom  !  Surely,  liberty  would  be  a  great  bless- 
ing to  them  !  I  wonder  my  excellent  christian  host  has  never  been 
moved  to  the  noble  deed  of  emancipation  by  this  thought ;  for  I 
really  believe  if  he  saw  as  I  do,  the  benefit  of  freedom  to  his  slaves 
no  motive  of  selfishness  would  prevent  their  liberation  from  bondage. 
He  says,  and  1  believe  thinks,  that  they  would  be  less  pious  and 
happy  if  free.  This  cannot  be  true,  because  it  is  unnatural.  And 
still  I  can  safely  admit,  here  in  ray  own  dark  chamber,  that  I  have 
never  known  nor  heard  of  such  piety  and  uniform  religion  among 
them  at  the  North  or  anywhere  else  in  a  state  of  freedom.  This  is 
Btran{:e  and  unaccountable  to  me.  I  do  not,  I  cannot  comprehend 
it.  Why  is  it!  Is  Thompson  correct  when  he  says  slavery  is  their 
Dormai  state?  Does  God,  on  that  account,  make  even  the  hated 
institution  a  blcssinc  to  them  ?  But  these  are  Southern  thoughts, 
and  shall  find  no  loagment  in  my  heart.  Slavery  is  wrong,  even  if 
the  negro  is  better  and  happier  in  its  chains.  So  the  Doctoi  shut 
out  from  his  mind   the  light  which  was  beginning  to  dawn  upon  it 


188  NELLIE   yOHTOS. 

and  quieted  his  conscience  vrhich  began  to  be  somewhat  awakenedf 
by  courting  (he  embrace  of  the  "  sweet  restorer,"  till  he  coald  rally 
his  sterner  will,  at  a  time  when  the  evidences  of  the  happiness  of 
slaves  had  somewhat  faded  from  his  memory. 

As  the  first  rays  of  the  graf  morning  arose  to  gild  the  eastern 
sky,  a  servant  entered  with  soft  and  noiseless  tread  to  kindle  a  fire  in 
the  bed  chamber  of  Mr.  Thompson.  The  master  had  been  lying  for 
some  time  in  pious  meditation,  jiraycr  and  thanksgivfngs  for  the 
blessings  of  a  mcrc'ful  Providence  during  the  past  year,  and  for  the 
hope  of  salvation  through  that  Kedeeuier,  the  anniversary  of  whose 
natal  day  was  once  more  dawning  upon  the  world.  He  heard  many 
footsteps  around  the  house,  and  occasionally  low  and  indistinct  talking 
in  the  vard.  He  understood  its  meaning.  He  arose  and  dres."»ed 
himself  hurriedly,  and  gently  shaking  his  wife,  took  down  a  key  and 
left  the  room.  As  he  made  his  appearance,  fifty  voices  cried  out  all 
at  once,  "Christmas  gift  I  Christmas  gift  I  Christmas  giftl"  till  the 
welkin  was  made  to  ring  with  the  enthusiasm  of  the  clamor.  All 
in  the  house  were  aroused.  Dr.  Pratt  shuddered  and  drew  the 
cover  tightly  over  his  head,  and  for  a  few  md^iients  indulged  horrible 
thoughts  of  insurrection,  fire  and  blood  ;  but  nil  being  quiet,  he  ven- 
tured to  rise,  and  gently  pushing  open  a  blind  saw  the  yard  literally 
covered  with  nogroes,  little  and  big,  old  and  young,  male  and  female, 
and  Mr.  Thompson  standing  in  their  midst.  What  Mr.  T.  was  say- 
ing the  Doctor  could  not  distinctly  hear,  but  he  soon  saw  a  separation 
take  place  ;  the  females  retreated  toward  the  house,  while  Mr.  T. 
with  a  lighted  candle  advanced  to  a  small  ntore  hou.se  in  the  yard. 
A  box  was  drawn  to  the  door  and  opened,  and  Dr,  P.  soon  divined 
the  object  of  this  strange  gathering  of  the  negroes.  Mr.  Thompson 
held  up  a  coat,  and  looking  at  the  mark,  culled  out  a  name,  when  the 
one  called  advanced,  hat  in  hand,  and  bowing  and  scraping  his  foot, 
received  with  a  glad  smile  and  a  grateful  "  thanky,  master,"  the 
Christmus  gift.  This  was  repeated  till  every  one  had  received  a 
coat,  or  pair  of  pants,  or  hat,  or  some  other  Sunday  garment,  which 
filled  up  the  measure  of  his  desire.  At  the  house  a  similar  scene 
was  transpiring.  Mrs.  Thompson  was  surrounded  by  the  female 
servants,  each  of  whom  received  some  highly  gratifying  testimonial 
of  the  kind  and  generous  heart  of  the  mistress.  All  returned  to 
their  home.^,  well  .satisfied,  cheerful  and  happy,  each  esteeming  his 
own  present  the  best;  it  was  to  them  indeed  a  "  Merry  Christmas." 

About  ten  o'clock  Dr.  Pratt  proposed  to  Nellie  to  walk  over  to 
the  negro  cabins  to  see  how  the  colored  people  spend  Christmas. 


NELLIE    NORTON.  189 

Alice,  who  was  familiar  with  all  the  scenes  of  country  negro  life, 
accompanied    them.     Approaching   their  cabins,  they  saw  a  large 
number  in  the  yard,  dressed  in  their  most  gaudy   Chris-traas  attire. 
Their  movements  were  as  unique  as  was  the  head  dress  of  a  few  of 
them.     They  were  drawn  up  in  two  parallel  lines,  about  (en  feet 
apart.     One  stood  outside  the  ranks,  who  proved  to  be  the  leader  of 
the  jilay,  and  therefore  had  no  connection  with  the  "  rank  and  file." 
In  military  parlance,  he  Was  the  commandant  of  the  post.   His  orders 
were  issued  in  verse  adapted  to  a  measure,  and  melody  with  which 
all  were  equally  familiar,  but  they  were  not  the  less  implicitly  obeyed 
because  sung  instead  of  spokeu.     The  chorus,  which  was  sung  by 
all,  was  the   signal  for  action.     The  movement  consisted  in  locking' 
arms,  bwinging  round  and  moving  to  the  foot  of  the  line,  all  in  time 
to  the  music.     If  the  reader  desires  a  better  description,  he  can 
just  witness  the  play  called  Twistification  by  our  genteel  young  ladies 
and  gentlemen,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  song,  which  accompa- 
nies all  the  holiday  pleasures  of  the  negro,  they  will  see  the  exact 
counterpart  of  what  Dr.  Pratt  witnessed.     Several   other  perform- 
ances, bearing  some  similarity,  but  affording  to  the  negroes  a  pleasing 
variety,  were  witnessed  by  the   spectators.     The   Doctor  was  dis- 
gusted  at  these  "crude  poems,"  as  he   termed  them,  and  at  the 
child-like  simplicity  of  the  grown  colored  people,     lie  was  not  aware 
that  in  many  instances  these  "crude  poems"  were  improvised    and 
that  the  refrain  alone  was  supposed  to  be  known  by  the  audience. 
To   Nellie  there  was  something  so   novel,  that  even  the  simplicity 
possessed  the  power  to  fascinate  and  attract  her  for  an  hour  and  a 
half,  in  spite  of  all  the  Doctor's  importunities  to  leave.     "  Just  look 
there,  Doctor,"  she  said.     •'  ?e<>  tho.se  happy  faces,  hear  those  cheer- 
ful voices,  Mr.   Pratt;  these   are  the  oppressed,  down-trodden  and 
miserable  slaves,  who  groan  beneath  the  burdens  of  involuntary  ser- 
vitude, and  writhe  in  the  galling  chains  of  vassalage.     Though  they 
could  not  help  their  condition  if  they  would,  yet,  after  all,  I  believe 
they  are  voluntary  slaves.     What  better  freedom  do  they  want  than 
this  ?  to  what  good  purpose  would  they  apply  it  ? 

From  the  joyous  faces,  the  glee  and  mirth,  the  fun  and  frolic,  the 
unrestrained  hilarity  of  these  negroes,  I  verily  believe  the  language 
of  every  heart  is  : 

"  I  was  born  for  rejoicing,  a  'summer  child  '  truly, 
And  kindred  I  claim  with  each- wild  jojous  thing; 
The  light  frolic  breeze,  or  the  streamlet  unruly. 
Or  a  cloud  at  its  play,  or  a  bird  on  the  wing.' 


190  NELLIE   NORTON. 

Now,  Mr.  Pratt,  don't  you  think  they  are  happy  ?  Are  you  not 
most  agreeably  surprised  in  this  respect,  and  do  you  not  believe  if 
all  our  Northern  people  were  to  see  just  what  you  and  I  see,  they 
would  be  greatly  softened  in  the  bitterness  of  their  opposition  toward 
slavery  ?  Don't  answer  uie  as  an  abolitionist  in  controversy  with  my 
uncle,  but  as  my  friend,  expressing  simply  the  truth." 

"  My  opposition  to  slavery  takes  higher  ground  than  simply  the 
condition  of  the  enslaved.  The  universal  equality  of  the  race,  as 
taught  in  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  is  its  basis." 

"  I  did  hope,"  replied  Nellie,  ''  to  have  received  a  direct  answer 
to  my  question."  The  Doctor  was  silent,  and  she  said  no  more.  The 
Doctor  seemed  sour  and  ill-tempered  as  they  walked  away,  while 
Nellie  and  Alice  chatted  gleefully  of  the  odd  and  ridiculous  songs 
to  which  they  had  jvftt  listened.  They  both  agreed  that"  Jinin  the 
ingine  "  deserved  a  place  in  the  public  prints,  provided  its  original 
composer  could  be  found  and  his  name  accompany  it.  He  certainly 
deserved  a  niche  in  the  temple  of  fame.  Pity  a  poet  of  such  original 
genius  should  pass  away  unknown  to  the  literary  world.  Would  not 
N.  P.  "Willis  embalm  his'  name  in  the  essence  of  poetry,  or  Mr. 
Thackary  immortalize  it  by  criticism,  or  Dickens  make  him  hero  of 
some  charming  talfi  ?  The  girls  thus  amused  themselves  till  their 
morose  escort  had  well  nigh  dispersed  the  mental  cloud  that  obscured 
his  social  sun.  Feeling  no  disposition  to  awaken  a  train  of  unplea- 
sant reflections,  further  to  disquiet  the  Doctor's  thoughts,  and  know- 
ing it  was  about  the  time  Mr.  Mortimer  was  expected,  Nellie  pro- 
posed a  return  to  the  house.  She  found  Jlr.  M.  seated  in  the  parlor, 
with  Miss  Murray's  travels  in  his  hand,  conversing  with  Mrs  Norton, 
who  now  looked  with  peculiar  interest  upon  her  future  son-iulaw. 
On  the  arrival  of  Nellie,  her  mother  made  an  excuse  and  left  the 
room.  The  two  loving  hearts  being  all  alone,  one  would  suppose 
the  hour  to  have  been  given  to  expressions  of  the  tender  aftections  of 
the  heart,  or  the  blissful  lot  which  they  both  anticipated  in  the  future ; 
but  Nellie's  mind  was  enthused  with  the  subject  of  slavery.  Having 
spent  the  early  morning  in  reading  Miss  Murray,  and  having  just 
witnessed  some  new  evidences  of  negro  happiness,  she  was  much 
disposed  to  speak  from  the  abundance  of  her  heart  on  this  new 
subject. 

"  Mr.  Mortimer,  did  you  ever  read  Miss  Murray's  travels  in  the 
United  States?     I  see  you  have  it  in  your  hand." 

<'  I  have  not  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  it  before." 


NELLIE   NORTON.  .  191 

"  Would  you  be  entertained  by  a  few  extracts  from  it,  giving  he? 
views  on  slavery?" 

"  Certainly.  I  would  be  very  glad  to  hear  them." 
Nellie  opened  at  page  206  and  read  :  "  Slavery  may  not  be  the 
best  system  of  labor,  but  it  is  the  best  for  the  negro  in  this  country. 
If  it  be  true  of  the  English  soldier  and  sailor,  that  his  condition  has 
been  ameliorated  in  the  last  fifty  years,  it  is  quite  as  true  of  the 
negro.  Slavery  is  that  system  which  exchanges  subsistence  for 
work,  which  secures  a  life  maintenance  from  the  master  to  the  slave, 
and  gives  a  life  labor  from  the  slave  to  the  master.  Slavery  is  the 
negro  system  of  labor  ;  he  is  lazy  and  improvident ;  slavery  makes 
him  work,  and  insures  him  a  home,  food  and  clothing;  it  provides 
for  sickness,  infancy  and  old  age,  allows  no  tampering  or  skulking, 
and  knows  no  pauperism.  All  cruelty  is  an  abuse  ;  docs  not  belong 
to  the  institution  ;  is  contrary  to  law ;  may  be  punished,  prevented, 
and  removed.  If  slavery  is  subject  to  abuses,  it  has  its  compensa- 
tions also :  it  establishes  permanent  and  therefore  kind  relations 
between  labor  and  capital.  It  does  away  with  what  Stewart  Mil! 
calls  *  the  widening  and  embittering  feud  between  labor  and  capital.' 
It  draws  close  the  relation  between  master  and  servant ;  it  is  not  an 
engagement  for  days  or  weeks,  but  for  life.  The  most  wretched 
feature  in  hiring  labor  is  the  isolated,  miserable  creature  who  has  no 
home,  no  work,  no  food,  and  in  whom  no  one  is  particularly  inter- 
ested. Slavery  does  for  the  negro  what  European  schemers  in  vain 
attempt  to  do  for  the  hireling.  On  every  plantation  the  master  is  a 
poor  law  commissioner,  to  provide  food,  clothing,  medicine,  houses, 
for  his  people.  He  is  a  police  officer  to  prevent  idleness,  drunken- 
ness, theft,  or  disorder ;  there  is,  therefore,  no  starvation  among 
slaves,  and  comparatively  few  crimes.  The  poet  tells  us  there  are 
worse  things  in  the  world  than  hard  labor,  '  Withouten  that  would 
come  a. heavier  bale'  ;  and  so  there  are  worse  things  for  the  negro 
than  slavery  in  a  Christian  land.  Archbishop  Hughes,  in  his  visit 
to  Cuba,  asked  Africans  if  they  wished  to  return  to  their  native 
country  ;  the  answer  was  always  No.  If  the  negro  is  happier  here 
than  in  his  own  land,  can  we  say  that  slavery  is  an  evil  to  him  ? 
Slaves  and  masters  do  not  quarrel  with  their  circumstances;  is  it  not 
hard  that  the  stranger  should  interfere  to  make  both  discontented? 
All  Christians  beheve  that  the  affairs  of  this  world  are  directed  by 
God   for  wise   and   good    purposes.     The   arrival  of  the   negro  in 

America  makes  no  exception  to  that  rule There  has 

been  malignant  abuse  lavished  upon  the  slave  holders  of  America 


192  NELLIE   NORTON. 

by  writers  in  this  country  and  in  EDgland  j  they  consider  abuses  as 
the  necessary  condition  of  slavery,  and  a  ciuel  master  as  its  fair 
representation.  They  have  no  knowledge  of  the  thing  abused — they 
substitute  an  ideal  for  a  reality.  They  have  shown  as  little  regard 
for  truth  and  common  sense  as  if  we  were  to  gather  up  all  the  atro- 
cities committed  in  Great  Britain  by  husbands  and  wives,  parents 
and  children,  masters  and  servants,  and  denounce  these  several  rela- 
tions in  life  in  consequence  of  these  abuses.  ...  To  attempt 
to  establish  the  hiring  plan  with  Africans  is  as  wise  as  to  attempt  to 
establish  the  constitutional  government  of  England  in  Ashantee  or 
Dahomey.  Carlyle  says  the  world  will  not  permit  Cuflfy  to  lie  on  his 
back  and  eat  pumpkins  forever,  in  a  country  intended  by  Providence 
to  produce  coffee,  sugar  and  spices  for  the  use  ot"  all  mankind,  and 
that  he  must  one  of  these  days  resume  his  work  for  Brother  Jona- 
than or  some  other  master.  The  blacks  in  Hayti  have  only  changed 
masters ;  they  are  the  slaves  of  a  black  chief  as  in  Africa.  The 
pagan  mummeries  have  been  resumed — they  are  engaged  in  petty 
wars  instead  of  peaceful  labors.  The  Emperor  has  his  standing 
army,  and  is  anxious,  as  more  important  potentates,  to  employ  it  in 
the  legitimate  business  of  cutting  throats.  The  African  cannot 
originate  a  civilization  of  his  own ;  from  the  slave  civilized  and 
instructed  by  slavery  can  any  regeneration  of  the  African  continent 
be  alone  looked  for.'  " 

On  page  212,  Miss  M.  says:  "  I  find- that  the  term  'slave'  ii 
rarely  made  use  of  in  the  South.  The  blacks  are  called  '  bur  ser- 
vants,' or  more  commonly  '  our  people.'  We  must  remember  that 
when  slaves  are  to  be  dispo.sed  of,  people  in  this  country  do  not  con- 
sider they  are  literally  buying  men,  but  services,  and  what  we  hear 
of  are  the  abuses,  not  the  laws  of  the  system.  Should  a  master  ill 
treat  a  slave,  the  law  protects  the  latter;  and  I  am  inclined  to 
believe  cases  of  such  treatment  are  rare.  If  a  slave  violates  the 
law,  a  judge  sends  to  his  master,  and  says,  .iThis  is  your  servant,  if 
you  do  not  punish  him,  I  must.'  Of  course  the  culprit  much  pre- 
fers to  be  corrected  by  his  own  master,  by  whom  all  extenuating 
circumstances  are  understood,  and  allowed  for  j  and  he  is  usually 
left  in  his  hands." 

Again,  on  page  215,  she  says  :  "  I  have  observed  a  noble,  gen- 
erous, gentlemanly  spirit  in  this  part  of  the  Union.  I  feel  assured 
that  if  the  Southern  proprietors,  as  a  class,  had  found  reason  to 
believe  that  the  institution  of  slavery  was  prejudicial  either  to  the 
Christian  or  temporal    interests  of  the  blacks,  they  have  chivalry 


NELLIE   NORTON.  193 

enough  in  their  composition  to  have  cast  aside  mere  motives  of 
private  interest ;  but  they  knew,  as  we  did  not  know — that  was  the 
difference.  They  have  a  right  to  accuse  us  of  ignorance  and  conieit, 
and  they  are  more  forbearing  than  we  had  any  claim  to  expect." 

On  page  219,  she  says :  "  I  now  see  the  great  error  we  have  conv. 
mitted  is  in  assuming  that  the  African  race  is  equal  in  capacity  with 
the  European,  and  that  under  similar  circumstances  it  is  capable  of 
equal,  moral  and  intellectual  culture.  The  history  of  Egypt,  of 
Rome,  of  the  English,  French  and  Spanish  Colonies,  and  the  expe- 
rience of  American  slavery,  prove  the  reverse.  No  separate  Afri- 
can civilization  has  sprung  up  from  centuries  of  contact.  St.  Do- 
mingo has  relapsed  into  barbarism,  except  in  the  case  of  some  of  the 
towns.  The  other  emancipated  colonies,  not  excepting  Jamaica,  are 
retrograding  fast  in  the  face  of  a  white  population,  and  notwith- 
standing Government  influence  :  in  the  United  States,  spite  of  more 
than  a  hundred  years  of  white  association,  though  they  have  been 
made  rather  superior  to  their  brethren  in  Africa  in  intellect  and 
moral  character,  they  remain — and  ever  will  remain — inferior  to  the 
whites.  1  believe — and  must  not  hesitate  to  express  my  belief — the 
negro  race  is  incfipable  of  self  government ;  and  I  suspect  its 
present  condition  in  the  United  States  is  practically  the  best  that  the 
character  of  the  negro  admits  of.  It  is  for  their  happiness  and 
interest  to  remain  in  tutelage.  ....  The  most  practical  mode 
oi*  improving  a  semi-barbarous  race  is  to  place  it  in  the  proportion  of 
one  to  two  in  the  midst  of  a  civilized  people.  The  system  of  slavery 
has  been  blamed  for  the  ignorance  and  vices  of  the  Africans.  Are 
(hey  less  ignorant  or  more  virtuous  where  slavery  does  not  exist  ?" 

On  page  221,  writing  from  a  plantation  in  South-eastern  Georgia, 
she  says  :  "  1  forgot  to  mention  that  there  are  from  three  to  four 
hundred  negroes  on  this  estate.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cooper  have  no 
white  servants ;  their  family  con.sists  of  six  sous  and  two  dauo-hters. 
I  should  not  like  to  inhabit  a  lonely  part  of  Ireland,  or  even  Scot- 
land, surrounded  only  by  three  hundred  Celts.  I  believe  there  is 
not  a  soldier  or  policeman  nearer  than  Savannah,  a  distance  of  sixty 
miles.  Surely,  this  speaks  volumes  for  the  contentment  of  the  slave 
population.  When  I  think  of  the  misery  and  barbarism  of  the 
peasantry  of  Kentail,  and  other  parts  of  Scotland,  (putting  aside 
that  of  Ireland),  and  look  at  the  people  here,  it  is  hardly  possible 
not  to  blush  at  the  recollection  of  all  the  hard  words  I  have  heard 
applied  to  the  slave-holder  of  the  South.  Why,  the  very  pig-sties  of 
the  negroes  are  better  than  some  Celtic  hovels  T  have  seen.  Mr. 
Y 


194  NKLLIE   NORTON. 

Cooper  is  under  some  diffieulty  about  a  uegro  f;tniil}-  he  took  in  trust 
to  manumit  from   the  produce  of  their  own  l;tbor.     The  people  are. 
averse  to  being  freed,   and  especially  to  being  sent  to  Africa.     It 
certainly  seems  a  cruelty  to  force   them   to  accept  that  which  they 
consider  no  bqon.     1  believe  thi.'^  is  a  dilemma  by  no  means  rare." 
"  Now,  sir,  what  do  you  say  of  Miss  Murray  'i  " 
"That  she  is  a  lady  of  accurate   observation,  sound  judgment, 
great   moral    honesty,    and    what   is    better,  if   possible,  a  truthful 
woman.     I  am  much  obliged  to  yf>u  for  the  extracts,  they  are  well 
oxpre.ss'ed,  and  contain  factij  which  her  people  ought  to  consider  and 
accept.     She   has  d(me  what  but  few   foreigners    have    ever   done 
before — given  justice  to  the  South  and  to  slave-holders." 

As  Mr.  Mortimer  was  about  changing  tho  subject  to  one  uiort- 
congenial  with  bis  heart,  and  one,  too,  not  at  all  objectionable  to 
XelHe,  they  were  summoned  to  the  dining-room  to  partake  of  the 
sumptuous  and  elegant  Christmas  dinner  prepared  by  Mrs.  Thomp- 
son. 

pinner  being  over,  at  the  appointed  hour,  Dr.  Pratt,  with  the 
family,  repaired  to  the  Church  to  iulfil  his  engagement  in  preaching 
to  the  colored  people      Nellie  and  Mr.  Mortimer  alone  preferred  to 
remain  at  home.     The  Doctor's  text  may  be  read  in  Luke  ii:  10-11, 
Behold  I  bring  you  good  tidings  of  great  joy,  which  shall  be  to  all 
i)eople.     For  unto  you  is  born  thin  day,  in   the  city  of  David,  a 
Savior  which  is  Christ  the*Lord.     His  theme  was  this  :    "Salvation 
through   Christ  Jesus,  to   a   fallen   world,  is   good  tidings  of  great 
joy.     He  first  showed  the  need  of  a  {Savior.     Man  \vas  guilty,  and 
therefore  justly  condemned  by  the  lighteous  law.     2d.  That  he  was 
unable  by  any  act  ot  his  cwn  to  free   himscll"  from  that  condemna- 
tion.    8d.  That  Christ's  atonement  accomplished  what  neither  man 
.nor  the  law  could  do,  for  He  was  made  unto  us  wi.sdom  and  right, 
eousness  and  sanctitication  and  redemption.     'J'lie  jtropositions  were 
logically  proven,  and  the  sermon  well  elaborated,  and  to  a  more  cul- 
tivated  auditory   would    perhaps    have   had    a    tint*   effect,  but  the 
preacher  po.sse.s.sed  no  powers  of  ada]itation  to  the  uneducated  persona 
before  him.     Very  uKiny  of  them,  however,  knew  Christ  experimen- 
tally, and  felt  his  love  soothe  their  hearts  like  an   emollient  to  an 
aching  wound.     They  knew  he  was  talking  about  Jesus,  and  though 
his  thoughts  were  too  profound,  his  reasonings  too  abstruse,  and 
many  of  his  words  were  as  Hebrew  to  them,  yet  they  had  heard  the 
text  and  knew  what  it  meant,  and  like  the  deaf  woman  who  always 
would    go  to  church,  they  "had  a  great  many   sweet  and  happy 


NELLIE   NORTON.  195 

thoughts  about  tlie  Saviour."     So,  upon  jthe  whole,  they  enjoyed  the 
meeting  very  much. 

It  wag  understood  that  the  Doctor  was  going  to  leave  them  in-a 
few  days  to  return  to  his  Northern  home.  So  "  Uncle  Jesse,"  when 
called  on  to  close  the  meeting,  proposed  that  the  "  brother  Qome  down 
from  the  pulpit,  as  the  brothers  and  sisters  wanted  to  shake  hands 
with  him  for  the  last  time."  Brother  Dick  was  called  o^  to  sing 
while  the  parting  hand  was  given.  He  looked  round  to  see  if  the 
men'bers  were  present  who  could  sing  the«ong  which  he  considered 
appropriate  for  the  occasion.  Being  satisfied  on  that  subject,  he, 
with  his  choir,  sang  the  following,  each  line  of  which  was  repeated 
three  times,  with  an  air,  enthusiasm  and  melody  which  mupt  be 
heard  to  be  fully  appreciated  : 

"Christ  wa.s  born  in  Bethleiiem, 

Anil  in  the  rannger  stayed; 
The  Jews  tliey  crucified  him. 

And  nailed  him  to  the  tree. 
They  put  him  in  the  sepulchre, 

And  over  him  foiled  the  stone; 
Down  came  the  angels 

And  off  of  him  rolled  the  stone. 
Christ  he  rose  triumphant 

To  conquer  death  and  hell. 
Mary  she  came  a  weeping 

To  see  her  lovoly  Lord — 
bhout !  shout!  the  victory  ! 

I'm  on  my  journey  home," 

While  they  were  singing  this  unique  song,  with  a  pathos  peculiar 
to  our  colored  people,  they  marched  up  in  a  confused  browd  to  take 
leave  of  the  Doctor,  each  extending  the  hand  to  every  other  white 
person  in  the  house,  and  then  to  each*  other.  After  the  benediction 
was  pronounced,  a  circle  of  the  colored  sisters  about  the  centre  of 
the  house,  each  holding  the  other  by  the  hands,  .sang  the  following 
song,  marking  time  with  their  feet,  bodies,  and  uplifted  arms  : 

"Shout  children,  for  I  ain't  got  weary  yet; 
•  My  Lord  called  me  and  I  must  go, 

For  I  ain't  got  weary  yet. 
When  I  touch  one  sfriiie  the  whole  heavens  ring. 

For  I  ain't  got  weary  yet. 
There's  a  long  white  robe  in  heaven  for  me. 

For  I  ain  t  got  weary  yet 
Thai  long  white  robe  I'm  bound  to  wear, 

For  I  ain't  got  weary  yet. 
There's  a  starry  crown  in  he«voii  for  mo. 

For  I  ain't  got  weary  yet. 
There's  golden  slippers  In  heaven  for  mc. 

For  I  ain  t  got'weary  yet. 
Those  golden  slippers  I'm  bound  to  wear, 
«  For  I  ain't  got  weary  yet." 


196  NELLIE   NORTO-X. 

They  emphasized  with  voice  and  gesture,  "I  ain't  got  weary 
jet,"  aud  shrieked  at  the  top  of  their  voices,  •'  That  starrj'  crowo 
I'm  hound  to  wear,"  ''  Those  golden  slippers  I'm  bound  to  wear." 
The  enthusiasm  became  wild  and  noisy,  and  some  of  the  circle,  who 
were  young,  and  therefore  more  impulsive  than  the  rest,  became 
almost  frantic  with  excitenaent.  Here  and  there  an  old  sister  might 
be  seen  standing  at  a  short  distance  from  the  happy  circle  of  singers, 
with  folded  arms  and  closed  eyes,  rocking  to  and  fro,  humming  in  a 
sing-song  manner,  like  some  of  the  less  informed  preachers  of  a  half 
century  ago  delivered  their  sermons. 

The  Doctor  and  Mr.  Thompson  and  family  left  these  happy  people 
to  enjoy  themselves  as  long  ai  they  chose,  and  in  their  own  way. 
The  Doctor  made  some  remarks  on  the  peculiarity  of  negro  charac- 
ter, and  Mr.  Thompson  thought  these  peculiarities  were  natural  and 
providential,  adapting  them  to  the  position  assigned  them. 

The  reader  is  perhaps  growing  impatient  to  see  the  "  conclusion 
of  the  whole  matter."  I  will  not,  therefore,  stop  here,  even  to 
describe  the  more  than  happy  interview  between  Nellie  and  Mr. 
Mortimer,  suflBce  it  to  say  they  both  wore  smiling  faces,  and  seemed 
quite  as  cheerful  and  happy  as  at  any  former  period — perhaps  it  was 
the  happiest  Christmas  of  their  lives — but  of  this,  more  anon. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

The  Right  of  Masters  Froccd  by  Positive  Precept —  The  Dining 
Party — Dr.  Pratt  Goes  North—  What  be/ell  him  in  Charleston — 
Mr.  Mortimer  Visits  the  North — Ndlie  rrtunin  with  him — An 
Agreeable  Sttrprine. 

Although  it  was  Christmas  night,  it  was  agreed  that  they  would 
have  a  little  social  conversation  on  slavery,  by  way  of  recapitulation, 
and  to  conclude  the  discussion.  The  Docto.r's  health  seemed  much 
better  and  tie  was  rapidly  improving,  and  had  made  up  his  mind  to 
leave  in  a  few  days  for  Savannah,  en  route  for  home. 

"  Well,  Doctor,"  said  Mr.  Thompson,  "  as  you  are  shortly  to  leave 
us,  and  will  probably  be  busy  making  your  arrangements,  I  will  first 
recapitulate,  so  far  as  I  can   remember,  my  arguments  on  slavery, 


NELLIE   NORTOJpr.  197 

hoping  that  when  you  return  home  you  will  fully  examine  them  in 
the  light  of  revelation,  with  an  impartial  mind,  to  see  whether  1  am 
right,  and  I  trust  you  may  be  brought  to  see  your  error  and  re- 
nounce it." 

First.  It  has  been  proTcd  that  God  instituted  slavery  by  subjecting 
the  descendants  of  Ham  to  those  of  Shem  and  Japheth.  Second.  That 
this  slavery  was  made  perpetual  by  the  positive  enactment  of  heaven. 
That  man  is  therefore  not  responsible  either  for  the  origin  or  con- 
tinuance of  the  institution.  The  divine  law,  both  in  the  Old 
and  New  Testaments,  gives  the  relation  of  slavery  its  full  sanction. 
There  is  no  law  to  condemn  ;  there  is  much  to  approve  and  regulate 
the  institution.  Even  Dr.  Wayland  admits  there  is  no  precept 
against  slavery.  But  there  are  prohibitions  against  all  wrong — 
therefore  slavery  is  not  wrong,  for  "  where  there  is  no  law  there  is 
no  transgression."  Third.  The  Holy  Spirit  positively  enjoins  obedi- 
ence on  the  part  of  slaves  to  their  masters,  thus  giving  the  seal  of 
the  divine  approbation  to  this  relation.  Fourth.  It  has  been  shown 
that  the  Jews  in  Palestine,  and  slaveholders  in  the  South,  enslave 
the  same  people.  Fifth.  Masters  are  taught  how  to  treat  their 
slaves,  but  instruction  on  this  point  would  have  been  omitted  if  the 
relation  had  been  wrong,  for  the  Bible  no  where  teaches  us  how  to 
do  a  wrong.  No  where  in  the  gospel  is  a  man  taught  how  to  treat 
his  second,  third  and  fourth  wives.  Poligaray  is  a  sin,  and  therefore 
is  not  regulated  by  inspiration ;  the  sin  is  rebuked,  but  no  duties 
connected  with  it  are  mentioned.  Sixth.  The  Apostles  admitted  slave- 
holders and  their  slaves  to  church  membership,  without  requiring  a 
dissolution  of  the  relation.  But  they  did  require  them  to  abandon 
their  sins  and  iniquities  j  therefore  slavery  was  not  considered  to  be 
a  sin  by  these  inspired  men  of  God.  Seventh.  The  Apostles 
required  slaveholders  to  withdraw  from  abolitionists  as  incorrigible 
opposers  of  the  teachings  of  Christ,  and  as  disturbers  of  the  peace 
and  quiet  of  the  churches.  Kighth.  That  abolitionists  cannot  preach 
(he  whole  gospel.  They  do  not  believe  that  "  All  Scripture  is  given 
by  inspiration  of  God,  and  that  it  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for 
reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction  in  righteousness.  They  there- 
fore omit  that  portion  ef  it  which  commands  slaves  to  be  obedient 
to  their  masters. 

Lastly.  It  has  been  shown  that  abolitionism  unavoidably  tends 
to  infidelity ;  that  abolitionists  are  now  taking  positions  which  em- 
body the  worst  forms  of  infidelity  ever  known  to  the  world.  Having 
joined  the  church  and  obtained   control  of  the  pulpit,  press,  theolo- 


198  NELLIE  NORTON. 

giual  chairs  aod  publiahing  houses — in  a  word,  having  obtained 
control  over  the  moral  and  religious  sentiments  of  the  North,  their 
influence  is  potent  and  irresistible  for  the  destruction  of  truth  and 
righteousness. 

I  have  now  one  thought  more,  and  my  work  is  done. 

You  quoted  and  endorsed  Dr.  Wayland's  language  /that  "  the 
Apostles  are  in  every  case  careful  not  to  utter  a  syllable  by  which 
they  concede  the  rujM  of  the  master."  1  have  already  proved'  thut 
by  implication  and  by  example  they  did  concede  this  right.  I  now 
propose  to  fultill  my  promise  by  proving  very  briefly  that  this  right 
is  conceded  by  positive  precept. 

Ln  speaking  of  his  desire  to  retain  Onesimus  in  his  service,  that 
he  might  minister  to  him,  Paul  says,  in  Philemon  lo-14  :  "  Whuiu 
I  would  have  retained  with  me,  that  in  thy  stead  he  might  have 
ministered  unto  me  in  the  bonds  of  the  gospel.  But  without  thy 
mind  would  1  do  iiothiti(/."  Why  did  not  this  great  Apostle  keep 
this  runaway  slave  ?  He  evidently  needed  his  services,  and  greatly 
desired  them.  If  he  did  not  admit  the  right  of  Philemon,  then  he 
would  have  violated  none  in  retaining  the  slave.  According  to  the 
Northern  sentiment,  which  gave  rise  to  the  anti-fugitive  slave  law, 
he  was  and  of  right  ought  to  be  free.  His  master  never  had  any 
Ti^ht  to  hold  him  in  slavery ;  he  was  guilty  of  man  stealing  when  he 
bought  him,  and  any  act  of  "the  slave  which  jeleased  him  from  this 
unjust  ownership  of  a  covetous  tyrant  should  be  hailed  with  joy  by 
all  the  good,  and  aided  by  all  the  lovers  of  liberty.  But  this  inspired 
man  of  God  took  a  diffeient  view  of  it.  "You  are  entitled  to  your 
.slave,  brother  Philemon.  I  want  him,  would  like  very  much  to  keep 
him  I  need  his  services  while  I  am  here  in  bonds,  but  he  is  yburs 
and  I  cannot  keep  him  without  your  permission.  I  have  as  much 
right  to  take  your  provisions,  your  furniture,  or  any  other  property 
you  possess.  He  hks  Jung  been  unprofitable  to  you  on  account  of 
the  wicked  and  abandoned  life  he  has  led,  but  now  he  is  a  converted 
man,  feels  his  wrong,  has  repented  it,  recognizes  his  obligations  to 
you,  and  desires  to  return.  I,  loo,  feel  it  my  duty  to  return  him  to 
you.  I  send  this  letter  by  him,  asking  that  in  consideration  of  his 
repentance  and  reibimation,  you  will  receive  him,  and  forgiving  the 
past,  will  treat  him  kindly,"  You  will,  perhaps,  think  this  a  South- 
ern view.  I  will  therefore  refer  you  to  the  opinions  of  great  and 
good  men  across  the  Atlantic,  who  have  not  generally  been  accused 
of  favoring  slavery. 

Coneybeare   and    Howson.     "  He   (Paul)    wished    to   keep   him 


NELLIE   NORTON.  199 

(Onesiinus)  at  Rome,  and  employ  him  in  the  services  of  the  goepel. 
Yet  he  would  not  transgress  the  law,  nor  violate  the  rights  vj  Phile- 
mon, by  acting  in  this  matter  without  his  consent." 

Here  is  the  testimony  of  two  emancipationists  to  the  fact  that  Paul 
fi'uuld  not  "  violate  the  rights  of  Philemon."  Then  he  had  rights, 
else  Paul  could  not  have  violated  them.  These  rights  the  Apostle 
'•conceded"  in  sending  his  slave,  for  if  he  had  sent  him  only  as  a 
helper  of  the  gospel,  any  other  brother  might  have  done  as  well,  and 
Onesimus  would  have  been  detained,  inasmuch  as  the  Apostle  wa8 
so  desi#ous  to  have  his  setvices 

MacNight.  "  Without  knowing  thy  mind,  n-hose  slave  he  is,  I 
would  do  nothing  to  encourage  him  to  stay  with  me." 

Doddridge  says  in  his  paraphrase  :  Whom  indeed  I  was  desirous 
to  have  kept  near  me,  that  he  might  have  officiated  for  thee,  and  in 
thy  stead  have  attended  upon  me  in  the  bonds  I  suffer  for  the  sake  of 

the  gospel But  I  would  do  nothing  in  this  affair  without  thy 

fxj^ress  consent. 

Matthew  Henry  says:  Paul  herein,  notwithstanding  his  apostolic 
power,  would  show  what  regard  he  had  to  civil  rights,  which  Chris- 
tianity does  by  no  means  suspend  or  weaken,  but  rather  confirm  and 
strengthen.  Onesimus,  he  knew,  was  Philemon's  servant,  and  there- 
fore without  his  consent  not  to  be  detained  from  him. 

Other  authorities  might  be  cited,  but  these  are  enough  to  prove 
that  wise  and  good  men  of  other  times  believed  that  the  Apostles 
did  concede  the  right  of  masters.  The  opinion  of  Dr.  Wayland 
is  of  modern  origin.  None  of  the  fathers  agree  with  him  ;  none  of 
that  host  of  learned  and  devout  theologians  of  the  two  last  cen- 
turies concur  in  his  views.  His  own  prolific  brain,  in  its  terrible 
conflict  with  truth,  gave  birth  to  this  subterfuge,  in  order  that  he 
might  present  at  least  a  plau.sible  pretext  for  his  persevering  and 
incorrigible  opposition  to  slavery.  Better  men  than  he,  men  of 
erudition  and  mental  acumen,  who  have  been  willing  to  be  tauf>-ht 
by  inspiration  and  receive  without  cavil  its  holy  instructions,  have 
discovered  much  truth  in  favor  of  slavery,  the  existence  of  which 
your  Dr.  W.  denies. 

•'  It  is  true,"  replied  the  Doctor,  <'  that  Paul  seems  to  concede  the 
right  of  Philemon  in  the  language  you  quoted,  but  he  and  his  chris- 
tian brother  were  upon  most  intimate  terms  of  friendship  and  frater- 
nity, and  he  sent  Onesimus  back  to  prevent  a  rupture  of  those  ties, 
and  not  as  an  act  of  justice — the  latter  it  could  not  have  been." 

"It  was  either  an  act  of  justice,  or  it  was  an  act  of  injustice," 


200  NKLLIK  NORTON. 

said  Mr.  Thompson.  Oncsimus  was  either  a  freeman  or  a  slave,  i.  e., 
he  was  either  the  property  of  Philemon  or  he  was  notj  if  he  were, 
then  it  was  an  act  of  justice  to  send  him  back  ;  if  he  were  not,  it 
was  an  act  of  injustice  to  send  him  to  IMiilenion.  If  he  were  a 
freeman,  Paul  outraged  the  rights  of  a  fellow  being;  if  he  were  a 
hlave,  he  did  simply  an  act  of  justice,  which  was  due  to  Philemon, as 
well  as  to  that  holy  system  of  moral  honesty  and  pure  religion,  of 
which  he  was  a  representative.  If  Oncsimus  was  a  freeman,  he  had 
always  Veen  one,  unless  he  had  been  manumitted,  of  which  there  is 
not  the  shadow  of  evidence.  If  he  had  always  been  free,  then  Paul 
was  mistaken  about  the  injustice  he  had  done  his  master,  since  he 
had  never  been  in  a  relation  which  demanded  any  service  to  i'hile- 
moD.  Paul  sent  him  back  in  the  capacity  of  a  slave.  Did  he  do 
so  out  of  deference  to  the  fWlings  or  to  the  rights  of  Philemon  ?  If 
to  the  /ir/iitgs,  then  he  was  guilty  of  reducing  a  freeman  to  bonda;5e 
that  he  might  retain  the  friendship  of  a  man  who  was  guilty  of  the 
"sum  of  all  villainies."  But  would  Paul,  that  great  Apostle, 
whose  immutable  adherence  to  right  had  brought  upon  him  the  bit- 
terest persecutions,  and  for  which  he  was  then  in  bonds ;  that 
l^aul,  who  had  given  up  all  things  for  Christ,  and  counted  them  not 
loss,  but  gain  ;  that  he,  who  had  forsaken  all  liis  worldly  gains,  honor, 
kindred  and  nation — in  a  word,  everything,  for  truth  and  righteous- 
oesH — that  he,  who  had  stood  before  the  Sanhedrim  and  hazarded  all 
for  the  sake  of  righteousness,  who,  in  chains,  reproved  the  wicked- 
ness of  Felix  in  such  eloquent  terms  that  the  heathen  prince  trembled 
at  the  recital  of  his  crimes  and  their  conscfiuences — he  who,  with  a 
moral  heroism,  almost  without  a  parallel  in  the  great  uchievemeuLs 
of  Christianity,  stood  before  the  bloody  tyrant  Nero,  and  pleaded  the 
cause  of  despised  Christianity,  and  triumphed  in  swaying  the  mind 
of  that  most  cruel  of  all  the  Caesars — that  this  Paul  should  be  guilty 
of  an  act  of  injustice  to  prevent  the  rupture  of  fraternal  ties  between 
himself  and  our  simple-minded  christian  brother  I  Why,  Doctor, 
the  idea  is  preposterous  !  But  did  Onesimus  go  back  to  save  the 
feelings  of  Philemon?  Was  his  regard  for  one  who  had  held  him 
in  unjust  bondage  su  tender  as  that  ?  Did  he  voluntarily  yield 
himself  up  from  a  stxite  i)f  lawful  freedom  to  one  of  perpetual  bond- 
age, just  to  please  Philemon  ?  If  so,  then,  Doctor,  learn  a  les.sou  of 
kindness.  Dear,  good  Paul  knew  his  brother  Philemon  had  been 
guilty  of  a  great  wrong  in  holding  Onesimus  in  slavery.  The  slave 
had  escaped  and  gone  several  hundred  miles  to  Home ;  the  Apostle 
tinds   him   there,  and   after  his   conversion    receives  him  into  the 


NELLIE  NORTON.  201 

churcli.  Then  he  sajs  :  Now,  come,  Onesimus,  your  master  and  I 
are  good  friends  and  brethren  ;  we  love  each  other  very  miich,  and  I 
intend  to  perpetuate  that  friendship  at  any  cost.  I  am  aware  of  the 
sin  of  slavery,  and  know  your  master  did  wrong  in  holding  you  in 
♦hat  relation  ;  but,  come,  you  must  go  back;  I  love  him  and  must 
keep  his  love;  go  back,  and  let  him  continue  to  outrage  your  inalien- 
able rights.  Now,  was  he  not  very  kind?  Doctor,  do  you  aboli- 
tionists feel  so  towards  us  slaveholders  of  the  South  ?  If  not,  I 
would  entreat  you  to  learn  affection  and  courtesy  from  this  inspired 
Tarsian.  Avoid  the  errors  growing  out  of  Paul's  want  of  decision 
and  firmness,  but  imitate  the  excellent  virtue  of  amity,  which  you 
think  controlled  his  action  in  sending  back  this  runaway  slave. 

You  cannot  deny  that  all  the  facts  in  the  history  of  this  case  go 
to  prove  beyond  all  question,  that  Onesimus  was  lawfully  the  slave 
of  Philemon,  and  that  Paul  sent  him  back  in  response  to  the  demands 
of  justice :  had  he  done  otherwise,  it  would  have  been  an  outrange 
upon  the  rights  of  the  master,  such  as  you  Northern  people  unblush- 
ingly  perpetrate  daily,  in  the  name  of  our  blessed  Christianity, 
against  the  rights  of  Southern  slaveholders.  But  the  day  of  retri- 
bution comes  on  apace,  when  you  will  no  longer  "  cry  peace,  peace," 
but  when  for  all  these  violations  of  human  rights,  and  this  setting  at 
nought  the  revealed  will  of  God,  you  will  see  in  anguish  the  swift 
destruction  as  it  comes  upon  you." 

"How  cowld  those  inspired  of  God  to  instruct  man  as  to  the 
duties  which  he  owes  to  his  fellow-beings  'concede  the  right'  of  one 
man  to  hold  another  in  involuntary  servitude  against  his  will,  entail- 
ing on  him  all  the  evils  of  this  horrible  system?"  replied  the  Doc- 
tor, for  the  want  of  something  more  apropos. 

"  How  one  inspired  man  did  concede  this  right  I  have  already 
shown  you,"  said  Mr.  T.,  "  but  ye  believe  me  not." 

The  "  evils  of  this  horrible  system  "  have  as  much  real  existence 
as  the  ghost  of  Banquo  that  gave  such  alarm  to  iMacbeth.  The  latter 
had  murdered  the  former,  and  he  imagined  he  saw  his  ghost,  and 
was  greatly  alarmed.  You  of  the  North  first  introduced  slavery  and 
the  slave  trade :  when  you  found  it  unprofitable  you  sold  them  into 
Southern  slavery,  into  his  "  horrible  system."  Do  your  consciences 
torture  you  for  it?  Do  you  seethe  ghost?  Does  it  harrass  your 
minds  and  disturb  your  dreams  ?  Are  ^u  trying  to  atone  for  your 
former  cupidity  by  adopting  this  mode  of  denying  your  great  sin,  if 
slavery  be  a  sin  ?  But,  seriously,  involuntary  servitude  is  not  neces- 
sarily against  the  will  of  those  who  serve.  The  contentment  and 
Z 


202  NELLIE   NORTON. 

happiness  of  our  servants  aiford  the  most  gratifying  evidences  of 
their  willingness  to  serve.  It  is  a  singular  fact,  and  one  worthy  of 
note,  that  African  slaves  have  never  voluntarily  attempted  to  throw 
oflF  the  yoke  of  bondage.  When  any  attempt  of  the  sort  has  been 
made  by  insurrections,  unprincipled  white  men  have  always  been  the 
instigators. 

God  has  given  the  master  a  right  to  the  labor  of  the  slave,  and  no 
man  shbuld  interfere  with  it  He  has  also  given  certain  rules  for 
the  government  of  the  master  in  his  treatment  of  the  slave.  The 
obligations  are  reciprocal.  The  servant  should  be  faithful  at  all  times 
and  under  all  circumstances,  both  to  the  good  and  to  the  .froward. 
The  master  should  "  do  justly  and  love  mercy  "  in  his  treatment  to 
his  slaves,  doing  as  he  would  be  done  by,  "under  subsisting  rela- 
tions." To  conclude,  God  has  forged  the  chains  of  slavery,  and 
riveted  them  upon  the  descendants  of  Ham  and  Canaan.  He  has 
formed  the  relations  of  master  and  slave,  and  united  them  together 
now.     "  What  God  hath  joined  together  let  not  man  put  asunder.'' 

"When  do  you  think  of  returning  home,  Doctor?"  said  Mrs. 
Norton. 

"  In  a  few  days,  ma'am  ;  just  as  soon  as  I  can  arrange  for  the  trip." 

"  I  am  almost  tempted  to  go  with  you,  I  am  so  anxious  to  see  hus- 
band," said  Mrs.  Norton. 

"  0,  no,  mother,  you  cannot  go  7ioiv;  for,  however  anxious  we  may 
be  to  see  father,  and  he  to  see  us,  I  know  he  would  nothaye  us  return 
before  spring,"  said  Nellie. 

As  the  conversation  was  not  exclusively  .social,  the  reader  is  not 
anxious  to  know  what  was  said.     , 

Two  days  after,  Mr.  Mortimer  gave  a  dining  to  l)r.  Pratt,  to 
which  Mr.  Thompson  and  family  were  also  invited.  It  was  something 
new  for  so  many  fashionable  ladies  to  be  seen  at  this  bachelor  estab- 
lishment, for  although  Mrs.  Thompson  frequently  went  over  in  com- 
pany with  her  husband,  yet  it  could  not  be  said  to  be  a  place  of  resort 
for  the  ladies  of  the  community.  The  servants  gazed  with  wonder, 
while  their  ivory  teeth  shone  through  their  ebony  lips  like  the  silver 
lining  upon  the  dark  cloud. 

Their  crackery  and  unique  appearance  somewhat  amused  the 
tidily  dressed  maids  of  Mrs.  Thompson.  She  had  inculcated  more 
or  less  taste  in  her  servants,  by  bringing  them  into  perpetual  contict 
with  her  Own  unexceptionable  neatness.  But  the  dining  passed  off 
delightfully,  leaving  pleasant  recollections  to  be  treasured  in  after 
days.     Nellie  looked  round,  and  observed  very  closely  everything 


1^ 


NELLIE  Norton*  203 

about  the  house.  There  was  some  furniture,  but  oo  arrangement. 
There  were  carpets,  but  they  were  threadbare;  the  bureau  was 
dusty ;  the  plastering  of  the  house  was  cracked,  smcfky  and  full  of 
cobwebs  ;  everything  indicated  a  want  of  attention.  Only  here  and 
there  was  a  rosebush  in  the  jard ;  no  flowers,  no  taste.  "  0  how 
uninviting ;  but  there  is  a  warm  heart  and  a  noble  spirit  that  pre- 
sides over  this  chaos,  and  which  will,  with  the  aid  of  my  guiding 
hand,  bring  order  and  neatness  out  of  this  wreck  and  confusion." 

A  few  days  after,  Dr.  Pratt  bade  adieu  to  his  Southern  friends.  At 
Savannah  he  took  the  train  for  Charleston  to  reach  a  steamer,  whose 
Captain  was  an  old  and  particular  friend,  and  from  whom  be  hoped 
to  receive  some  favor  in  the  way  of  a  free  passage.  A  sad  occur- 
rence, however,  befell  the  Doctor  while  in  Charleston,  which  his 
friends  have  never  noised  abroad,  and  which  is  here  alluded  to  only 
as  an  incident  characteristic  of  his  laith.  As  it  will  be  considered 
a  virtue  rather  than  ^  failing  by  his  Northern  brethren  and  congre- 
gation, and  as  he  has  decided  never  to^visit  the  .South  again,  it  may 
be  a  kindness  to  give  it  publicity.  At  the  hotel  in  wkich  he  took 
lodgings  in  Charleston,  there  was  a  very  neat,  genteel  mulatto  boy  of 
about  seventeen  summers.  As  the  Doctor  had  to  stay  over  about 
three  days  waiting  for  the  steamer  to  sail,  he  became  very  conversant 
with  the  boy  Ned.  Among  other  topics  of  conversation  was  that  of 
slavery.  Though  naturally  contented  and  happy,  the  Doctor  found 
him  quite  pliant  under  his  representations  of  the  blessings  of  free- 
dom. So  being  emboldened  by  his  successful  attempts  to  impress  the 
boy,  he  asked  him  why  he  had  never  made  his  escape  on  a  steamer. 
He  stated  to  him  that  many  had  done  so,  and  succeeded  in  making 
good  their  escape,  and  added  :  "  You  can  do  so,  too,  if  you  will.  I 
will  give  you  any  assistance  in  my  power  " 

"But  I's  got  no  cap  but  dis,"  said  Ned,  "  and  dey  will  see  de 
hotel  sign  and  take  me  up.  Den  I's  got  no  fine  close  to  wear  whenl 
gets  to  New  York." 

'*  I  will  loan  you  my  silk  velvet  cap,  and  when  you  get  to  New 
York  we  will  buy  you  some  good  clothes  to  wear.     Will  you  go?" 

"  O,  yes,  sir,  dat  I  will,  l^'ou'll  fix  me  up  fine,  won't  you  ?  Give 
me  boots  and  a  fur  hat  like  your'n,  and  git  me  a  heap  of  nice  things, 
and  then  I  can  do  as  I  please  and  won't  have  no  work  to  do.  Hoop  ! 
that  '11  be  great,  hurrah  for  Ned."  The  boy  went  oflf  into  ecstacies, 
and  the  Doctor  lapsed  back  into  a  serious  mood  over  the  sad  disap- 
pointment that  was  to  blight  these  happy  anticipations  of  the  simple 
minded  boy  on  his  arrival  at  New  York. 


^ 


204  NELLIE   NORTON. 

Late  in  th'e^^fternoou  the  Doctor  walked  down  to  the  steamer, 
which  was  to  sail  ^bl^  next  morning  at  ten  o'clock,  and;  sauntering 
round,  selecteci  the  place  where  Ned  was  to  conceal  himself.  After 
tea  he  gave  Ned  the  cap,  and  told  him  where  to  hide,  and  that  he 
must  stay  in  his  concealment  till  they  arrived  in  New  York,  and  that 
he  would  come  every  day  and  feed  him. 

Before  the  sun  arose,  Ned  was  on  the  steamer  and  safely  ensconced 
in  his  hiding  place.  But  Harap,  the  colored  supervisor  of  the  ser- 
vants at  the  hotel,  soon  missed  Ned.  and  having  made  "  diligent 
search"  for  him,  returned  without  "  tidings."  The  fact  was  imme- 
diately reported  to  the  landlord.  He  very  soon  suspected  that  his 
hoy  had  been  seduced,  and  was  endeavoring  to  make  his  escape. 
The  truth  was  his  suspicions  had  been  somewhat  excited  previously, 
on  account  of  the  great  attention  and  unusual  time  which  Ned  had 
devoted  to  Dr.  P's  room.  He  looked  over  his  register  to  see  who 
was  at  his  house,  and  finding  no  one  from  the  North  but  Dr.  Pratt, 
he  felt  convinced  that  he  was /he  author  of  the  mischief.  So  sending 
immediately  for  a  lawyer,  he  advised  with  him  as  to  the  best  course 
to  ascertain  the  guilty  party  and  obtain  redress.  He  was  advised 
to  have  Dr.  Pratt  arrested,  and  to  take  out  a  search  warrant  for  the 
steamer,  both  of  which  he  did  at  once. 

The  Doctor  was  iinmediately  brought  before  the  municipal  court 
having  jurisdiction  of  such  cases.  He  pleaded  not  guilty.  While 
the  landlord  was  proceeding  with  the  testimony,  proving  that  he 
was  the  only  man  at  his  house  from  the  free  States,  that  Ned 
waited  on  him,  and  that  he  alway.s  over  stayed  his  time  when  in  his 
room,  and  that  he  had  dropped  some  hints  to  the-  other  waiters,  the 
mystery  of  which  was  now  solved  by  the  circumstances,  and  while 
the  Doctor  was  growing  very  serious,  as  his  vivid  imagination  pic- 
tured a  guard  house  with  iron  bars,  himself  looking  from  the  inside, 
and  perhaps  something  unspeakably  worse  in  the  not  distant  future. 
While  all  this  was  taking  place,  the  ofiicers  sent  to  search  the  steamer, 
returned,  bringing  Ned  with  them.  The  appearance  of  the  boy* 
a-wakened  some  merriment  with  all  save  the  Doctor  and  his  angry 
landlord.  The  peaked  head  of  Ned  running  up  to  a  point  on  top 
was  inclosed  down  to  his'eyes  by  the  cap  which  sat  so  gracefully  on 
the  intellectual  cranium  of  the  Doctor  of  Divinity.  Ned's  optics 
were  much  less  than  two  new  moons,  but  were  certainly  dilated  to 
an  unusual  extent  by  the  excitement  of  his  novel  situation.  "  Whose 
cap  is  that  on  your  head  ?  "  cried  the  landlord,  rather  unamiably. 

'•  This  here  man's,"  cried  Ned,  pointing  to  Dr.  Pratt. 


NELLIE  NORTON.  205 

"  How  did   yoa   come  by  it,''  reiterated   the    enraged    landlord^;, 

"I  hope  the  Court  will  call  the  gentleman  to  order  j  his  questions' 
are  irrelevant ;  negro  testimony  is  not  good  in  court  against  a  white 
man,"  said  the  counsel  for  the  defendant.  Dr.  Pratt  looked  better,  a 
ray  of  hope  dawned  upon  his  darkened  future.  Negro  inequality 
was  right,  at  least,  in  this  instance. 

"The  Court  cannot  permit  any  questions  addressed  to  Ned  ;  he 
cannot  be  a  witness  in  the  trial  of  this  case." 

"  Is  thif^  your  cap,  Mr.  Pratt  ?  "  asked  the  landlord. 

"I  had  one  like  it,  sir;  it  may  be  in  my  trunk,  or  the  boy  may 
have  stolen  it.     I  did  not  give — " 

"Stop,  Mr.  Pratt,"  said  his  counsel.  *' I  appeal  once  more  to  the 
Court,  and  ask  that  the  prosecutor  may  not  be  permitted  to  ask  questions 
of  my  client.  A  man  cannot  be  forced  to  give  testimony  against  him- 
self. I  hope  the  Court  will  not  take  into  consideration  any  admis- 
sion which  has  been  made  by  my  client." 

"That  Yankee  rogue  gave  that  cap  to  Ned  to  hire  him  to  run 
away  with  him.  You  ought  to  be  rode  on  a  rail,  lynched  and  driven 
out  of  town." 

"  Order!  order  !  "  said  the  Court.  "The  Court  will  not  permit 
any  such  remarks  by  prosecutors  or  others  to  defendants  on  trial.  I 
will  strictly  enforce  order,  and  punish  any  further  violations  of  the 
rules  of  the  Court." 

"  May  it  please  your  honor,"  said  Dr.  Pratt,  "  I  am  a  stranger  in 
your  midst;  I  have  not  an  acquaintance  in  your  city,  save  Capt.  C  , 
who  is  to  sail  in  one  hour  from  this  time,  (looking  at  his  watch.) 
Will  the  Court  do  me  the  favor  to  send  for  him  that  I  may  prove  my 
character  ?  "     The  Doctor  was  much  agitated,  but  firm. 

The  Captain  having  heard  that  his  friend  was  accu.«!ed  of  attempting 
to  steal  the  boy,  had  concluded  to  come  up  and  render  him  any  assist- 
ance in  his  power.  He  entered  just  after  the  Doctor  had  taken  his  seat. 

"  If  the  Court  will  give  Capt.  C.  an  opportunity  to  make  any 
statements  he  may  see  proper  in  regard  to  my  character,  I  will  be 
obliged  to  it,  and  receive  the  same  as  a  kindness,"  said  Dr  P. 

"  Capt  C-  has  permission  to  do  so,"  said  the  Court. 

"  I  know  Dr.  Pratt  to  be  the  pastor  of  a  large,  wealthy  and  intel- 
ligent congregation  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts.  I  have  known 
him  for  a  dozen  years  or  morCfand  during  that  time  he  has  enjoyed 
the  confidence  of  his  flock,"  said  the  Captain. 

"  Isn't?  he  an  abolitionist,"  thundered  the  landlord. 

"Order!  order!"  cried  his  counsel. 


206  NELLIE  NORTON. 

"  It  is  a  proper  question,"  replied  the  Court,  "  but  not  very  pro- 
perly asked."  -^ 

"I  believe  he  has  never  been  accused  of  favoring  slavery,  but 
still  I  never  thought. him  so  unreasonable  as  to  be" guilty  of  such  a 
crilne  as  that  of  which  he  is  accused." 

"  Do  you  purpose  leaving  on  the  steamer  this  morning,  Mr.  PraU?" 
asked  the  Court. 

"Yes,  if  permitted,  and  will  bid  adieu  to  the  South  forever." 

"  There  are  two  reasons  why  the  Court  will  acquit  the  defendant ; 
1.  It  is  a  golden  old  maxim  of  the  law  that  '  ninety  and  nine  guilty 
men  had  better  go  free  than  that  one  innocent  man  should  suffer.' 
The  circumstances  throw  deep  suspicion  on  the  character  of  the 
prisoner,  but  do  not  demonstrate  his  guilt.^  2.  He  is  a  citizen  of 
another  State,  and.  on  his  way  hither,  and  cannot  by  any  possibility 
commit  a  similar  offense  again,  even  admitting  him  to  be  guilty  in 
the  present  case.  The  end  of  punishment  is  the  prevention  of 
crime — the  end  b^ing.  obtained  in  this  case  without  the  infliction  of 
punishment,'  it  is  ordered  that  the  prisoner  be  released." 

The  Doctor  made  a  grateful  bow  to  the  Court,  locked  arms  with 
the  Captain,  and  with  a  wiser  head,  left  for  the  steamer  in  great 
haste. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  present  war,  Dr.  Pratt,  became  a  chap- 
lain for  a  Massachusetts  Ptegiment.  On  the  morning  of  the  22d  of 
July  he  left  Washington  City  to  reach  his  congregation  in  camps, 
and  in  due  time  arrived  at  Centreville,  when  the  first  noise  that 
saluted  his  ears  was  the  wild  clatter  of  the  panic-stricken  army  as 
they  fled  before  the  impetuous  pursuit  of  the  Southern  soldiers. 
Visions  of  Charleston  flitted  athwart  the  excited  imagination  of  the 
sage  Doctor,  and  mounting  his  horse  he  gave  evidence  of  his  ability 
to  lead  the  most  dashing  and  reckless  cavalry.  lie  had  read  that 
Scripture  which  sa^s  of  danger  :  "  Only  with  thiue  eyes  shalt  thou 
behold ;  ....  it  shall  not  come  nigh  thee,"  and  he  labored  suc- 
cessfully to  secure  its  fulfillment.  Ou  being  twitted  by  a  brother 
chaplain  a  few  days  afterwards  for  his  speed,  his  apt  reply  was  char- 
acteristic of  the  wholesome  lesson  he  had  learned  from  past  dangers. 
"  The  prudent  man  foreseeth  the  evil  and  hideth  himself" 

The  Doctor  Sagely  concluded  after  this  that  it  was  predestined 
that  he  should  remain  at  home  with  his  congregation  and  family, 
o-iving  aid  and  comfort  to  his  country  by  inflammatory  speeches  in 
favor  of  the  glorious  Union,  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  and  against  the 


VtLWS.  NORTOy.  207 

SoQtli.    He  has  filled  his  mfsK^    <  x«ll  Mid  SMarad^th*  higbast  com- 
mendation from  his  mnpter  Abivhsin.  ^ 

On  the  first  of  May,  NeIKe  tod  li«r  nother  lefi  their  alTectiooate 
kindred  with  mingled  feelings  of  pleMwre  and  paio.  Nellie  aang, 
"  Homeward  Bound,"  as  the  staaater  gentlj  rocked  npoa  the  nndo- 
lating  boeom  of  the  deep;  bat  viaio/M  hin^hiA?  Ui  cheered  the  heart 
and  filled  np  the  measare  of  hope  as  aha  theroftlit  of  the  noble  and 
loved  one  behind,  who  was  soon  to  foU«w  bof.  Sftfely  st  home  once 
Dore,  Nellie  lost  no  time  in  beginning  h^r  prepcrmtions  for  the  tenth 
of  Jnif,  on  which  occasion  ahe  was  to  assnme  another  name  and 
character,  and  leave  for  a  Northern  toor.  She  fonnd  time,  howcTer, 
to  read  and  answer  a  letter  from  a  Sonthem  correspondent  enoe  a 
week.  Her  pastor  was  greatly  displeased  with  the  match,  and  tried 
bj  operating  on  the  mind  of  her  father  to  break  it  off.  Mr.  Norton, 
boireTer,  was  a  pmdent  man  aqd  a  doting  father.  Nellie  was  his 
Mot;  be  confided  greatly,  too,  in  her  judgment,  and  positively  refused 
te  say  a. word  against  the  oonsummation  of  her  desires.  Mr.  Norton 
had  s)>ent  several  years  of  h%  earlier  manhood  in  Virginia,  and  did 
■ot approve  of  Dr.  Pratt's  bitter  opposition  to  slavery.^ 

On  the  28th  of  Jane  Mr.  Mortimer  left  Savaonah  for  New  York, 
where  he  spent  several  days  before  tearing  for  New  Eoglandf^nd 
where,  on  the  5th  of  July,  he  was  met  by  the  Rev.  J.  L.  from  Oeor* 
gia,  the  pastor  of  his  negroes — whose  expenses  he  had  pn^Kised 
to  pay  if  he  would  take  the  trip,  suggesting  that  it  might  prove 
beneficial  to  his  health.  The  truth  was  Nelb'e  and  Mir.  MorUmer 
had  both  agreed  before  ahe  left,  and  after  the  JDocto/s  saisfortaae  at' 
Charleston  that  they  most  have  some  ona  else  to  onita  tbem  in  the 
holy  ties  of  marriage,  and  she  left  it  with  Mr.  M.  to  mi^e  the 
anangement. 

>Tbe  tenth  was  a  bright  and  beantifiri  day,  and  at  eleven  o'clock 
Mr.  Mortimer  and  his  Southern  parson  made  their  appearance  at 
Col.  Norton's,  where,  a  few  moments  afterwards,  the  two  Iovib,^ 
bents  solemnly  covenanted  to  perform  all  the  duties  of  hnsbaci  fS'A 
wife  raqnired  of  them  by  the  laws  of  Ood  and  man  until  ^hey  Ahc^d 
be  separated  by  death.  ^  Cordial  congratulations,  happy  smil&s,  %i«tn. 
of  MingM  joy  and  regret  nude  vp  the  scene  which  for  a  few  bio- 
ments  trcnspind : 

3«t  bappj  tb^,  the  kan>left  of  tbeir  Uad, 
.  Wln»  gentler  itArs  aslte,  and  ia  on*  fiats 
TWIrbearts,  tbsir  fortaaas,  and  their  balaitt  *i*mA. 
"^  sot  the  eoatser  tie  of  baaua  laws, 


2€?3  JflLLIE  NORTON. 

UDnafanil  oft,  and  foreign  to  tfte  mind, 

That  binds  their  peace,  bat  hnrroonj  itMlQf 

AttuDing  &1I  their  passions  into  lore. 

Where  friendship  full  exerts  Lcr  softest  power, 

Perffect  esteem  enlivened  by  desire — 

Ineffable,  and  sympathy  of  soul; 

Thought  meeting  thoug^it,  and  will  prorMting  will. 

With  boandless  confidence:  for  nought  but  lof* 

C«n  answer  lore  and  render  bliss  secare  " 

Sitratoga  Spring,  the  Fulls  of  Niagara,  and  the  eitj  of  Qaeb«e, 
were  visited  by  the  bridal  {>artj.  /In  due  time  their  &ces  w«rc 
tunied  honaeward.  Stopping  for  a  few  dajs  in  New  Eoglaod  to  gaM 
onoe  more  upon  the  loved  scenes  of  her  early  childhood,  tod  to  bid 
a  last  farewell  to  Iricqds  and  kindred — on  the  fint  of  October 
Nellie  left  the  dear  home  of  her  earlj  happjr  daj0  to  aluure  the 
pleasures  and  divide  the  sorrows  of  her  honored  husbaad  io  the  Efli- 
pire  State  of  the  South. 

On  arriving  at  her  new  home^  she  was  greeted  by  her  uaclf^^^d 
aunt  with  joyous  spirits  and  loving  hearts.  A  change  striking  and 
delightful  had  come  over  the  appearance  of  the  bachelor's  premisw. 
The  house  had  been  neatly  painted,  the  rooms  newly  plastered,  th« 
threadbare  carpets  had  given  place  to  new,  soft,  rich  Brussels.  The 
foniiture  ifas  all  new,  beautiful  and  stylish.  Sofas,  chairs,  ottomans, 
what-Bots,  &c.,  all  ju^t  from  the  great  emporium  of  Northern  com- 
merce, and  of  the  latest  style,  adorned  the  mansion,  and  proved  the 
ioving  forethought  and  tender  regard  of  Mr.  Mortimer.  Nellie 
Ihrew  her  arms  around  her  noble  hu.«band,  and  thanked  him  from 
a  warm  and  affectionate  heart  fur  these  new  tokens  of  Lis  love. 

Being  installed  as  mistress  of  the  premises,  Nellie  sat  about  am 
>rgaBisation  and  systematic  arrangement  of  the  family  and  hoaseboki 
interests.  Taking  her  aunt  as  the  model,  it  need  not  be  stated  that 
she  raooecded  beyond  the  expectations  of  her  most  aangaioe  frienda. 

Her  home  is  now  the  asylum  of  the  sick  and  wounded  aoldier  of 
the  Southern  amiy  ;  he  always  finds  a  cordial  welcome,  and  a  gene- 
rous hand  to  supply  bis  wants,  or  to  soothe  his  sufferings. 

Her  ooble  husband  wields  a  trenchant  bla(fe  in  favor  of  Southern 
ligbta,  and  has  on  many  battle  fields  taught  the  t*  *o  qaa&l  beibiv 
lue  inviocible  ooarage. 


M<. 


A 


